Paolo Sorrentino is one of those filmmakers who always rattles the status quo whenever he has a new project. Two of his most recent films, The Hand of God and The Great Beauty were deeply personal, beautifully constructed dramas that earned accolades the world over, including an Oscar. And now Sorrentino is back, and while we don’t know the name of his latest film, we do have a first look at one of its stars, Gary Oldman.
It appears Sorrentino shot his new film in stunning black & white. Oldman can be seen smoking a cigarette in one of the new images, although it’s unclear how large of a role he has. He’s part of a large ensemble that includes Dario Aita, Celeste Dalla Porta, Silvia Degrandi, Isabella Ferrari, Lorenzo Gleijeses, Biagio Izzo, Marlon Joubert, Peppe Lanzetta, Nello Mascia, Silvio Orlando, Luisa Ranieri, Daniele Rienzo, Stefania Sandrelli, and Alfonso Santagata.
The story is said to be based on the Greek myth of the Siren named Parthenope. Sorrentino has said his version of Parthenope “bears the name of her city but is neither siren nor myth. From her birth in 1950 to today. Her long life embodies the full repertoire of human existence: youth’s lightheartedness and its demise, classical beauty and its inexorable permutations, pointless and impossible loves, stale flirtations and dizzying passion, nighttime kisses on Capri, flashes of joy and persistent suffering, real and invented fathers, endings, and new beginnings. Together with a host of other characters: men and women observed and loved, their waves of melancholy and disappointment, their impatience and despair, their anguish at never again laughing at an elegant man who trips and falls on a city street. All of this is accompanied by the passage of time, that most faithful of boyfriends. And by Naples, who charms and enchants, who shouts and laughs, and who knows just how to hurt you.”
It looks like another ambitious effort from Sorrentino. He doesn’t touch on small subjects, so look for him to tackle high concepts, explore vast cities, as well as time and space.
You can check out all of the new photos from Sorrentino’s movie below. [via Deadline]
