Christopher Nolan's film adaptation of Homer's "The Odyssey" is set to open Friday, drawing global anticipation alongside controversy regarding its casting decisions. In Greece, where the epic is a staple of education, the narrative around adaptations often centers on how new creations keep the ancient story alive.
Filippos Mantzaris, who teaches "The Odyssey" to seventh graders in Greece, told The Associated Press that the enduring power of the epic lies in its constant reinvention. "What we want children to understand is that every new creation is exactly that — a new creation," Mantzaris stated.
The film, which features Matt Damon as King Odysseus and a cast of other Hollywood stars, is said to follow Homer's narrative of a king's arduous journey home from war, navigating mythical challenges to reclaim his palace from rivals.
In Greek classrooms, "The Odyssey" is a standard part of the curriculum, with students encouraged to analyze Odysseus's character, moral dilemmas, and actions. Role-playing exercises aim to help children connect with the hero's experiences and consider their own responses.
"It's an amazing literary text, with which children can identify, perhaps see Odysseus in themselves, but also see their own homeland," Mantzaris commented. A 12-year-old student, Kyriakos Agapiou, shared that the poem taught him "that everything is possible and we should never give up."
The story's relevance is also fostered through other artistic mediums. Farm scientist Nikos Varelas introduced his young son to youth versions of "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey," later attending a stage adaptation. Actor Manos Pintzis, who has portrayed Odysseus, highlighted the value of theater in engaging children with mythology.
"You don't tell a child, 'Just read the story because you have to,' because the child will resist when something is forced on them," Pintzis explained. "When the child sees all of this unfolding before their eyes — that becomes a valuable step toward learning, to willingly learn what they're expected to study."
Meanwhile, in some conservative circles in the United States, attention has been directed at Nolan's casting choices. Figures such as Elon Musk and commentator Matt Walsh have criticized the film for perceived identity politics in casting, particularly the selection of Black actor Lupita Nyong'o as Helen of Troy, despite not having seen the movie. This echoes criticisms leveled at other reboots that cast actors of different ethnicities in established roles.
Nolan addressed such pre-release commentary in an interview with The Telegraph, stating that such discussions are "always irrelevant, because no one having them knows what the film actually is yet." He told the AP that his aim was to make the film accessible and relatable, challenging conventional portrayals of the ancient world. "You want to question people’s assumptions about how things should be portrayed in movies and what those are based on," Nolan said, acknowledging the inherent challenge and risk in his approach.
Greece has a history of embracing international actors in roles of Greek figures, including Gerard Butler as King Leonidas in "300," Brad Pitt as Achilles in "Troy," and Colin Farrell as Alexander the Great. Anthony Quinn's portrayal of "Zorba the Greek" remains a beloved performance.
Nolan's film continues this tradition with a cast that includes Nyong'o, Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron, with narration by rapper Travis Scott.
Within Greece, a nationalist party, Niki, raised objections to the casting and government subsidies for the production, labeling it an stance that drew a sharp rebuttal from Culture Minister Lina Mendoni. "It is not the state’s role to dictate to a creator how they should artistically interpret a work or a myth," Mendoni stated, questioning the idea of state censorship of Nolan's artistic vision.
Christos Tsagalis, a professor of ancient Greek literature, suggested that the ultimate judgment of the film's success will rest with the audience. He emphasized that the enduring appeal of Homer's works stems from their universal themes and their capacity for reinterpretation across generations, fostering a shared global culture.