Paolo Sorrentino’s ‘Parthenope’ is Making Waves and Euros at the Italian Box Office

Oh, darling readers! Gather around with your popcorn and oversized sunglasses because Hollywood Hrishita is here to spill the tea on the Italian box office sensation that’s got everyone buzzing like they’re on an espresso high! ☕🎬

So, Paolo Sorrentino has done it again with his cinematic love letter to Naples, "Parthenope." The film has waltzed past the €5 million mark faster than you can say "amore mio," making it Italy’s numero uno in the local films category for this year. And no, we’re not counting those slapstick comedies that are as common as gelato stands in Rome. 🍦

A little birdie tells me that PiperFilm, the new kid on the distribution block, pulled a fast one with a genius release strategy. Midnight showings? Oh, honey, that’s the kind of drama we live for! From September 19 to 25, "Parthenope" was teased like a tantalizing secret before its grand unveiling on October 24. Clever, eh? 🎭

Now, here’s a fun fact: "Parthenope," Sorrentino’s tenth cinematic brainchild, has already outshone his Oscar-winning "The Great Beauty" in the initial earnings sprint. While "The Great Beauty" took its sweet time to reach $4.5 million, "Parthenope" zipped past $5.3 million like it was on a Vespa. 🚀💨

And if you’re wondering how this gem is doing compared to other post-pandemic contenders, let me just say it’s made more than Luca Guadagnino’s "Challengers" with Zendaya. Sorry, Zendaya fans, but "Parthenope" is the belle of the ball, pulling in $5.5 million while "Challengers" is still at the $4.7 million mark. 📈

Critics are swooning over "Parthenope," calling it a visual feast and a nod to Sorrentino’s own youth. Celeste Dalla Porta, the fresh face playing our titular heroine, is apparently so captivating that she could stop traffic. I mean, who knew a film about missed youth could be such a head-turner? 🚦

And let’s not forget the celebrity filled lineup: Gary Oldman as John Cheever, the novelist; Luisa Ranieri reprising her role as the troubled Aunt Patrizia; Stefania Sandrelli, the muse of Bertolucci himself; and Silvio Orlando, who you might remember as Cardinal Voiello. What a cast! 🌟

Before its Cannes debut, "Parthenope" was snapped up in a whirlwind 48-hour bidding war. Apparently, A24 plans to show it off to North American audiences in early 2025, and Pathé is setting the stage for a French release on January 8. Mark your calendars, darlings! 📅

MORAL OF THE STORY: In the glamorous world of cinema, it seems that a touch of nostalgia and a sprinkle of Neapolitan charm can make even the most cynical hearts flutter. So, whether you’re young, old, or somewhere in between, remember: life is a movie, and sometimes, the sequel is even better than the original! 🎥✨