Emma Thomas:the producer and director’s wife Christopher Nolanoffered a substantive and thoughtful description of ‘The Odyssey’ when asked to sum up the epic film in three words during a press conference in Mumbai. Her answer underscores the thematic depth and ambitious scope of the film, which contrasts sharply with her husband’s lighter approach to the same question.On July 11, the creative team behind the film was in Mumbai, India, to promote the large-format cinema production. Actors Matt Damon and: Tom Holland accompanied Nolan and Thomas on this part of the promotional tour. Producer Emma Thomas and director Christopher Nolan, the husband-and-wife filmmaking partnership who have collaborated on many parts of their careers, attended a press conference to discuss their latest project.
Emma Thomas’ three-word description highlights the scope of the film and the people
When producer Thomas was asked to describe ‘The Odyssey,’ he began by saying, “epic,” establishing the film’s monumental scale as his starting point. “It has to be the first. It’s absolutely huge, and the story is told on the grandest scale,” he explained, emphasizing how the production uses a wide format to tell its story.“Experiential” is his second word, reflecting his conviction that the film goes beyond the narrative to give the audience an immersive experience. “It’s a great experience; it’s one that really makes you feel like you’re in it with the characters,” he said, explaining how the filmmaking technique brings the audience into the story.The third and last word of Thomas is “man.” He stresses that this is the most important ingredient to set the film apart. “And in fact the most important thing I say to the person because I think that as big as the movie and until the past that we know when it happened, in the end what really makes this story different for me is the fact that it makes us recognize and realize that we have more in common with these people from the past and with our fellow men,” he explained, emphasizing how the epic narration finally connects the characters of the past through the man.
Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas, Matt Damon and Tom Holland attended the Mumbai press conference ahead of the global release of ‘The Odyssey’. Image credit (Instagram)
Christopher Nolan’s hilarious antagonist
Director Nolan took a remarkably different approach when given the same challenge, opting for intensity rather than analytical description. “That’s much better than my three words, which are Matt, Tom and Anne,” he joked, referring to his three main cast members. Damon portrays Odysseus, a warrior and the king of Ithaca, while Hathaway plays his wife Penelope. Holland plays the role of their son Telemachus, a young man who wants to lead his people in the absence of his father.
“The Odyssey”. Mumbai premiere: and fan screening
On July 10, Nolan and Thomas, along with Damon and Holland, surprised the audience with a special fan screening of ‘The Odyssey’ in Mumbai at a large format theater. The two lead actors took the time to thank Indian fans who were among the first to experience the film ahead of its official release on July 17.
Worldwide promotional tour: continues:
Following their time in Mumbai, the production team will continue their international promotional efforts with stops in New York City, Beijing and Seoul as part of a comprehensive global press tour. Extensive international promotion underscores the scale and ambition of the production, as the filmmaking team is determined to connect with audiences on multiple continents before the film’s worldwide release.“The Odyssey” is set to be released worldwide on July 17.