I & I Editorial Board‘The Odyssey” is taking hits from conservatives for its “woke” casting. And some of director Christopher Nolan’s choices are indeed odd and distracting. (Why does the Bard look like a Rastafarian?)
But it’s leftists who should be even more upset about the people chosen for key roles.
Sure, the movie checks all the diversity boxes, which, according to our friends at Unleash Prosperity, is mandatory if you want your film to be considered for Best Picture in today’s leftist-controlled Hollywood.
But look who isn’t represented. Greeks.
Think about it. “The Odyssey” is a Greek myth. Written by a Greek about Greeks for Greeks.
And yet, the principal cast includes no Greeks!
Let’s review:
- Odysseus is from Cambridge, Mass.
- His wife, Penelope, is a Brooklyn, N.Y., native.
- Odysseus’ son, Telemachus, was born in Kingston Upon Thames, England.
- Athena is from Oakland, Calif.
- The Bard was born in Houston, Texas.
- Simon is from Nova Scotia.
- Antinous is a Londoner.
- Helen hails from Mexico City.
- Eumaeus is from Bogotá, Colombia.
- Circe was born in Nottingham, England.
- Agamemnon? New York City.
- Polites is from Cardiff, Wales.
- Menelaus was born and raised in Washington, D.C.
Nolan couldn’t even bother to cast a Greek as Cyclops, instead turning the role over to a Santa Monica, Calif., native.
The outrage!
And Calypso, who is the only African native in the cast, is a white South African.
Outrage upon outrage!!
Were there no Greek actors or actresses worthy of being cast in a film based on the most treasured piece of Greek literature? Did Nolan even look? (We aren’t the only ones who noticed this.)
This is cultural appropriation, people, one of the left’s cardinal sins!
Nolan is making a killing on the backs of the Greeks! Has he apologized? Is he donating any of his massive earnings to Greek causes? Will he promise to cast Greeks in future films?
And why, oh why, is the left silent about this epic injustice? Why are there no calls for a boycott? Why isn’t Nolan being canceled?
AOC, the country needs your boycott leadership now more than ever!!
— Written by the I&I Editorial Board
Editor’s note: This editorial has been updated for clarity and concision.
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John Merline
Zorba the Greek was played by Anthony Quinn who was born in Mexico but other key roles were actual Greek actors. At least there could have been some effort. Sad.