“Odyssey” Trailer
The trailer has dropped for Universal Pictures’ film “The Odyssey,” featuring a star-studded cast including Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, and Charlize Theron, directed by Christopher Nolan.
In suburban Portland, Oregon, a local movie theater is under fire for an advertisement promoting “The Odyssey.” The sign displayed a contentious phrase that many deemed anti-Semitic: “Before there were Jews, there was an Odyssey.”
The message ignited backlash within the Jewish community. Critics argued that the claim was historically inaccurate, noting that scholars believe Homer’s works were written in the 8th century BC, while the history of the Jews and Israelites stretches back several centuries prior. Additionally, this message was seen as an unnecessary poke amid the rise of anti-Semitism across the U.S.
The controversial message was reportedly taken down from one side of the marquee on July 16, though it still remained visible on the other side, as attested by locals who saw it on July 17.
Rabbi Yves Posen from Congregation Neve Shalom in Portland expressed her concern, referencing a recent hateful act where a car belonging to a Jewish community member was vandalized with a swastika. She stated, “This is not Germany. This is not 80 years ago. This is here. This is today.”
Posen shared her emotional burden, saying, “Each moment taken in isolation does not necessarily warrant public reflection.” She pointed out how, when these troubling instances happen in close succession, they create a narrative that can’t be ignored.
She went on to criticize the theater’s marquee. Posen labeled the promotional statement as historically inaccurate and offensive, asserting, “A smarter movie promotion could have celebrated one of the oldest stories without diminishing Judaism.” She noted that, in a time of rising anti-Semitism, mentioning Jews in such a context feels dismissive—to her, it risks rewriting or trivializing Jewish history for the sake of a punchline.
Israeli influencer Hen Mazzig chimed in as well, calling the message “objectively false” and questioning why the pre-existence of Jewish history was being used as a selling point. Mazzig remarked on the blatant anti-Semitism of the statement.
The manager of Lake Theater & Cafe, Jordan Perry, defended his choice, stating he wanted to provoke thought about societal perceptions of anti-Semitism. He claimed his aim wasn’t to stir public sentiment but rather to shine a light on misunderstandings surrounding the issue.
Perry commented, “I didn’t intend to offend anyone” but sought to push back culturally against prevailing notions of anti-Semitism, emphasizing a focus on issues surrounding Israel and related politics.
Local media highlighted that the Lake Theater and Cafe has previously displayed controversial signage that drew criticism, adding that sometimes the conversation can be a lot to unpack.
In summary, this incident highlights a delicate intersection of film promotion, historical context, and societal issues, leaving many questioning the deeper implications of such a remark.
