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'Odyssey' translator Emily Wilson: Nolan shouldn't have written movie himself

11 hours ago
  • Emily Wilson criticizes Christopher Nolan's script for lacking emotional depth and character development, particularly in Odysseus's motivation.
  • Wilson notes the film omits sex scenes and depicts food poorly, while stripping Odysseus of desires like hunger and lust.
  • She suggests hiring a scriptwriter could have resolved the film's issues.
  • Wilson praises the cast's performance and finds the film worth watching despite its flaws.
  • She is working on a new translation of Homer's epic, free from line-for-line constraints, and enjoying the process.
  • Wilson's upcoming essay collection 'Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea' explores ancient literature and translation challenges.
  • She critiques the film's handling of gods and sirens, finding them unclear or lacking divine presence.
  • Wilson reflects on her personal journey with 'The Odyssey' from childhood performance to scholarly translation.
  • She notes being the first woman to translate the epic into English was a surprise, not a motivation for her work.
  • Wilson rejects labeling her translation as feminist, emphasizing the depth of character portrayal in Homer.
  • She addresses online harassment but highlights positive engagement with new readers discovering Homer through the film.