Celeste Dalla Porta Shares Emotional Experience Working with Gary Oldman in ‘Parthenope’

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In Paolo Sorrentino’s latest Oscar-winning film, titled Parthenope, you are immersed in a rich tapestry of themes, storylines, and characters over its 137 minutes. The captivating Italian actress Celeste Dalla Porta plays the title role, and the film traces her vibrant life from beginning to end. Along her journey through native Naples and beyond, she encounters a multitude of intriguing characters who are drawn to Parthenope’s enchanting charm. Among these is the elegantly dressed, affluent yet troubled man, John Cheever, portrayed by none other than Academy Award winner Gary Oldman.

In a conversation with MovieWeb (through interpreter Lilia Pino Blouin), Dalla Porta shared insights about filming striking scenes with Cheever against the beautiful Italian landscape, under Sorrentino’s skilled direction. Dalla Porta expressed that working alongside Gary Oldman was one of the most emotional experiences of his life. He admired Oldman’s work and considered him a favorite actor, but never thought he would share screen time with him. The experience was unanticipated, wonderful, and far beyond anything he could have imagined.

In his actions, I noticed he aimed to put me at comfort and freedom – much like Paolo Sorrentino’s approach, as it turned out to be quite similar. This is how Dalla Porta further explained.

In my opinion, one characteristic shared among exceptional professionals is their inclination to collaborate effectively. When working together as a team, they strive to involve everyone and demonstrate a keen interest in understanding others’ feelings, particularly in roles like ours on a film set where empathy for characters plays such a significant part. Thus, behind the character of John Cheever, portrayed by Gary Oldman, I sensed a remarkable individual – humble, special, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to know him.

“Guided” by Voices: Paolo Sorrentino as an Actor’s Director

The ambiance of Parthenope aligns closely with Sorrentino’s other creations (The Great Beauty, This Must Be the Place, The Young Pope), featuring extended scenes devoid of spoken words, enabling viewers to delve deeper into the protagonist’s realm. As Dalla Porta shared with us, she often found herself following Paulo’s lead, even during script sections where our characters were not engaged in dialogue.

Although he provided direction, it wasn’t strict or stern; instead, he granted me significant creative liberty. As an actress, I was encouraged to work according to my own judgment and adapt to each scene as I saw fit. Yet, despite the minimal dialogue, I sensed a bond with him, a connection that felt like his guidance. This unique dynamic fostered a camaraderie backstage, enabling me to feel guided in a more intuitive way.

Now, Sorrentino will also lead you on a tour of Naples. The film “Parthenope” from A24 is currently showing in cinemas across the United States.

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2025-02-09 08:01