Homer's poem 'The Odyssey,' estimated to have been written in the late 8th century BCE and passed down orally for generations, became the basis for Christopher Nolan's cinematic adaptation. Instead of recreating mythical Greece entirely in studios, the production spanned the Moroccan deserts, the Sicilian island of Favignana, the Scottish coast, and the volcanic landscapes of Iceland.
In the film, Matt Damon plays Odysseus, alongside Tom Holland as Telemachus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, and Zendaya as the goddess Athena, who protects the hero. The film, shot entirely on IMAX cameras, premiered on July 16th and is one of Nolan's most ambitious projects. The audience, along with Odysseus's ship, plunges into new landscapes balancing reality and myth.
The scene of the Trojan War was recreated in Ait Benhaddou, an ancient fortified city recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site near Ouarzazate. A massive set complex depicting the city before its fall was built there, including the Temple of Athena, which measured about 15 meters wide, 26 meters deep, and 11 meters high. A version of the Gates of Troy and an extensive perimeter wall were also erected.
The first appearance of the Trojan Horse on screen took place on the beaches of Essaouira, amidst constant wind and waves. The ambush version created by Nolan was about ten meters high and was intended to enhance the character of the trap devised by Odysseus.
Part of the filming took place in the Peloponnese region, which contains many landscapes associated with Homeric epics. Among these is the beach of Voidokilia, shaped like the Greek letter 'omega' (Ω) and located on the southwest coast with turquoise water.
The destination that drives the entire plot of 'The Odyssey' is Ithaca. This is where Odysseus tries to return, where Penelope awaits her husband, postponing her claims. Telemachus also grows up there, unaware if his father is alive, and sets out to seek news of his fate. To depict the hero's home, Nolan chose Favignana, a small island in Sicily, surrounded by crystal-clear water and limestone cliffs. Many scenes on the island are marked by dense clouds and diffused light, lending the kingdom a sense of remoteness.
Filming also took place on the Aeolian Islands, an archipelago linked in mythology to the realm of Aeolus, the god of winds. For the embodiment of Hades' realm, Nolan chose Iceland. Shooting took place in June, when the phenomenon of the midnight sun provided illumination for almost 24 hours. However, strong winds and frequent rain helped create the harsh atmosphere sought by the crew. Locations included the beaches of Hverlýpar, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the Landeyjahöfn area, and black sand beaches near the Mýrarfljót river. The landscape here is dominated by fog, raging seas, and huge rock formations.
To recreate the atmosphere of magical places, such as Circe's island (portrayed by Samantha Morton), Christopher Nolan filmed in Moray Firth, in northeastern Scotland. The rocks and ruins of Fynslair Castle helped create the desired mystical landscape. In this location, amid the intense greenery of the Scottish coast, Odysseus' men reach Circe's domain, unaware of what awaits them, and she turns them into pigs. Furthermore, in Scotland, the Calbin Forest added another layer to the narrative, where warriors encounter knights in silver armor among tall trees.
Although the production visited the mentioned countries in search of real landscapes, not everything could be found in nature. Some scenes were shot in studios near Los Angeles, California, including Universal Studios and Sony Pictures Studios. At Universal Studios, an area known as Falls Lake was used for some sea scenes, and interiors, such as Penelope's chambers, were recreated on specially built sets.
In the epic, palaces, gardens, fountains, and everyday objects are described with rich detail, helping to paint a portrait of life in Ancient Greece. However, in the film, interiors often appear in shadow, illuminated mainly by torches and campfires, and look more unfocused and less richly decorated than one might imagine. The weapons hanging on the walls draw attention.
Matt Damon joked that it felt like he was shooting six or seven different films due to the variety of locations. This thought is reflected on screen, as each stage of the journey is associated with different landscapes. Some of the most striking shots appear during sea voyages, when Odysseus' ship crosses waters of a saturated, almost royal blue color. In contrast are desert landscapes, such as the White Dunes near Dakhla in Western Sahara, where scenes between Odysseus and Athena were filmed. Despite the constant change of scenery, all of them are permeated by the desire to return home.
Christopher Nolan, Tom Holland, and Matt Damon recently visited Mumbai, India, as part of the promotional activities for their epic fantasy film 'Odyssey'. In addition to red carpets, the team provided inspiration for their travels during the world tour.
The director and actors visited Mumbai, known as the City That Never Sleeps and the heart of the Bollywood industry, to try a local iconic dish. They went to Olympia Coffee House—a legendary Iranian cafe in Mumbai with an impressive 180-year history—to taste the famous bun maska and tea.
This moment was quickly captured by witnesses on mobile phones, and images of the stars enjoying snacks instantly went viral. As noted by the @Unstumbled account on Instagram, Christopher Nolan, Tom Holland, and Matt Damon were spotted at Olympia Coffee House in Colaba, enjoying the iconic bun maska and tea during their trip for the premiere of 'Odyssey.'
Olympia Coffee House was founded over 108 years ago and is one of Mumbai's most iconic Iranian cafes. It is valued for its charming old-fashioned ambiance, affordable comfort food, and consistent flavors. Experts recommend including this historic cafe in a list of places to visit in South Mumbai.
The director and actors stayed at The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, located in Colaba. This luxurious five-star hotel, established by Jamsetji Tata in 1903, is renowned for its rich heritage and magnificent waterfront view overlooking the Raj Mahal. It provides first-class hospitality and has hosted numerous presidents, royalty, and global celebrities since its founding.
Historically, the hotel became a symbol of India's strength and national pride after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, when it survived a three-day siege known as 26/11. The hotel is often called a living museum because it harmoniously blends Mughal, Eastern, and Florentine-Gothic styles in both architecture and art. Another attraction is the high-end restaurant where premium tea is served in the Sea Lounge.
Besides bun maska and tea, if you are planning a trip to Mumbai, it is recommended to try four other dishes: masala dosa, made from fermented rice-lentil batter, usually filled with spiced potato and served with chutney and spicy sambar; biryani, a richly slow-cooked dish with layers of chicken or mutton, as well as a spicy vegetarian option; pani puri, a popular street snack consisting of crispy hollows filled with a mixture of potato and chickpeas, drizzled with aromatic spicy tamarind water; and murgh makhani (known as butter chicken), a popular dish featuring tender tandoori chicken meat simmered in a thick, velvety tomato and cream sauce.
