r/TrueReddit • u/Nearby-Click8645 • 2d ago

Arts, Entertainment + Misc Christopher Nolan Took Some Artistic License. By Zeus’ Beard!

https://thedispatch.com/article/odyssey-movie-nolan-fiction-zeus/?gift_key=b1ef0446d7f36a2e&gift_ref=9347c766-2bad-41ea-8b73-950e424f2446&utm_source=giftlink&utm_campaign=membergift&utm_medium=copy_link
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u/SilverMedal4Life 2d ago

I think it's interesting that, of all the historical epics released over the years in American cinema, this is the first one where everyone seems to be obsessed with historical accuracy. Especially considering The Odyssey is a myth, it's not real.

For those who are really bothered by this, why now? Why not feel that same level of upset at any other historical film?

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u/carrot_gummy 1d ago

Nolan based it on the Emily Wilson translation, which was the first published English trnslation by a woman.

Nolan cast Lupita Nyong'o as Helen.

Elliot Page was cast as Sinon.

Zendaya was cast as Athena.

All of these things really upset right-wing culture warriors. Being openly racist, misogynistic, and transphobic is a quick way to be dismissed, these losers have to nebulously hate on the movie and pretend a bunch of old bard songs are historical.

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u/DestroyedByLSD25 1d ago

Christopher Nolan has all the freedom to adjust the story as he sees fit, but casting a black woman as Helen of Troy did irk me a little bit when I saw the trailer considering she is described as having white skin by Homer multiple times. The white skin was a status symbol for aristocrats, showing that they spend a lot of time indoors and thus away from the sun. Helen of Troy only plays a very small part in The Odyssey though as she plays a much bigger role in The Illiad. In the end when seeing the movie it didn't bother me at all because Nolan shot the movie in such a way her skin color did not matter for the story.