Emma Thomas, the producer and wife of director Christopher Nolan, offered 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 response highlighted the film’s thematic depth and ambitious scope, contrasting sharply with her husband’s more lighthearted 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 leg of the promotional tour. Producer Emma Thomas and director Christopher Nolan, the husband-and-wife filmmaking partnership who have collaborated on numerous features throughout their career, were attending a press conference to discuss their latest project.
Emma Thomas’s three-word description emphasises the film’s scope and humanity
When producer Thomas was asked to describe ‘The Odyssey,’ she began by saying, “epic,” establishing the film’s monumental scale as her starting point. “It has to be the first one. It’s absolutely huge, and the story is told on the grandest scale,” she explained, emphasising how the production utilises the expansive format to tell its story.“Experiential” was her second word, showing her conviction that the film goes beyond the narrative to provide audiences with an immersive experience. “It’s a big experience; it sort of really makes you feel like you’re in it with the characters,” she said, explaining how the filmmaking technique brings viewers into the story.Thomas’s third and last word was “human.” She stressed it as the most important component to set the film apart. “And actually most importantly I would say human because I think that as big as the movie is and as far in the past as we know as it takes place, ultimately what really distinguishes this story for me is the fact that it makes us identify and realise that we have more in common with these people from the past and with our fellow human beings,” she explained highlighting how the epic narrative ultimately connects modern audiences to ancient characters through shared human experiences.
Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas, Matt Damon and Tom Holland attended the Mumbai press conference ahead of ‘The Odyssey”s global release.Image credit (Instagram)
Christopher Nolan’s humorous counterpoint
Director Nolan took a notably different approach when given the same challenge, opting for levity rather than analytical description. “That’s much better than my three words, which are Matt, Tom and Anne,” he joked, referencing his three principal cast members. Damon portrays Odysseus, a warrior and the king of Ithaca, while Hathaway plays his wife Penelope. Holland takes on the role of their son Telemachus, a young man who wants to lead his people in his father’s absence.
‘The Odyssey’: Mumbai premiere and fan screening
On July 10, Nolan and Thomas, along with Damon and Holland, surprised audiences at a special fan screening of ‘The Odyssey’ in Mumbai at a large-format theatre. Both lead actors took time to thank the Indian fans who were among the first to experience the film before its official release on July 17.
Tom Holland and Matt Damon joined Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas during ‘The Odyssey’ promotional tour ahead of the film’s global release.Image credit (Instagram)
Holland expressed his appreciation for the energy generated by Indian cinema audiences. “No one brings an energy to a movie theatre like India,” he stated. Damon also acknowledged the significance of the moment. “This is the first real audience we have been in front of that’s seen the film, so it means the world that you liked it,” he revealed, emphasising how important this initial reception was to the filmmaking team.
Global 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 the comprehensive global press tour. The extensive international promotion underscores the production’s scale and ambition, as the filmmaking team is determined to connect with audiences across multiple continents before the film’s worldwide release.‘The Odyssey’ is scheduled to premiere globally on July 17.
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