Les réactions à l'Odyssée de Nolan en Grèce.

Christopher Nolan’s new film Odissea has sparked controversy in Greece, with critics accusing the Hollywood production of promoting “woke ideology” at the expense of national heritage. The film, starring Matt Damon as Odysseus, began showing worldwide, but its release in Greece, home to the epic upon which it is based, has ignited heated debates over cultural representation, artistic freedom, and the role of state funding in cinematic projects. The film follows Odysseus’s perilous ten-year journey home after the Trojan War, depicting his struggles against gods and monsters before reclaiming his palace from suitors. Filming took place in several iconic Greek locations, including the Palace of Nestor in Pylos, Voidokilia Beach, Methoni Castle, and Acrocorinth. The Greek government contributed approximately €6.5 million toward the production, part of a subsidy program introduced in 2017 aimed at supporting local filming efforts. At the heart of the controversy is the casting choice for the role of Helen, the wife of Menelaus whose abduction triggered the Trojan War. Mexican-Kenyan-American actress Lupita Nyong’o was selected for the part, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from Greek media and cultural figures. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, swiftly responded on his platform X, accusing Nolan of distorting Homer’s text to cater to “woke” Oscar preferences. “Chris Nolan has defiled Homer and knelt just to satisfy ‘woke’ rules needed to win an Oscar. What filth,” he wrote. Greek journalists, historians, directors, and film critics have expressed divided opinions on the casting choice. Supporters argue that Greek epics belong to Western civilization and that creative freedom in interpreting myths should be allowed. They contend that the film’s interpretation falls within acceptable boundaries of artistic license. Opponents, however, point out that Homer described Helen with attributes such as beautiful hair (kallikomos) and attractive face (kallipareios), but did not specify her physical appearance. The only concrete detail given is that she had “white hands” (leukolenos). Critics argue that selecting a non-Greek actor for such a central role undermines the authenticity of the narrative. Political circles have also weighed in. A small ultra-right-wing nationalist party, Niki, opposed both the casting choice and the allocation of public funds. Party leader Dimitris Natsios accused the government of imposing “woke ideology” on Greek history and culture, claiming that taxpayers are being asked to fund this foreign influence. Meanwhile, Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni defended the state’s role in cultural affairs, stating that the government does not dictate how artists interpret myths or historical texts. “Can we seriously discuss whether the state should censor Christopher Nolan?” she asked in an interview with the magazine Lifo. Minister of Health Adonis Georgiadis, while not opposing the financial support, admitted difficulty understanding Nolan’s casting decisions. “Nolan went too far; I don’t know if he’s doing this to win an Oscar,” he told television station ANT1. Another point of contention is the absence of Greek actors in the cast. The film features no native Greek performers, leading some to accuse the production of sidelining local talent. The Greek diaspora portal Greek City Times published an open letter to the film crew, emphasizing that Greece is not merely ancient ruins but a living country. “Greeks are not historical figures. We are modern people,” the letter stated. In a discussion on the podcast War Room, former director of the Greek-American Leadership Council Endy Zemenides criticized the casting choices as a missed opportunity. “It’s disappointing to hear that some casting decisions may have been made based on identity markers to qualify for an Oscar,” he remarked. The Lifo magazine raised further questions: “Homer belongs to everyone, but does that mean all interpretations are equally valid?”