Lupita Nyong’o Critiques Homer Over Female Representation
In a recent interview, Kenyan-Mexican actress Lupita Nyong’o expressed her thoughts on ancient Greek playwright Homer, particularly regarding his portrayal of women in his epic poems. She mentioned that if she ever had a chance to meet him, she would question why female characters were given so little emphasis.
Nyong’o, recognized for her roles in “Black Panther” and “And Still Dawn,” is set to portray Helen of Troy in Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s “The Odyssey.” Helen, often described as the most beautiful woman in mythology, is a pivotal character whose existence ignites the Trojan War in Homer’s “Iliad” and later appears in the “Odyssey.” Interestingly, she will also take on the role of Helen’s sister, Clytemnestra, in the same film.
During the interview with Emmy-winning host Jake Hamilton of Jake’s Takes, Nyong’o and other cast members were asked a unique question about watching the movie together with Homer. Hamilton suggested a scenario where they could discuss their performances with him after screen time.
Nyong’o responded thoughtfully, saying, “I would want to know, ‘So, Homer, how do you feel about the screen time they’ve been given, considering how little time you’ve spent with them?'” That definitely brings up some interesting points.
In a playful exchange, Hamilton mimicked leaning forward and looking inquisitively at an imaginary Homer, while Nyong’o clarified, “Yes, as in, ‘Huh? Do you remember us?'”
The film has been subject to a fair amount of debate and concern among Homer enthusiasts. Back in May, when Nyong’o’s casting as Helen was confirmed, it sparked discussions about diversity in casting historical figures, similar to other recent projects that have faced backlash for their choices.
Additionally, director Christopher Nolan has chosen rapper Travis Scott to play a Greek bard, a decision he justified by likening the oral traditions in storytelling to the nature of rap. “I cast him because I wanted to nod to the idea that this story was passed down as an oral poem similar to rap,” Nolan noted.
From early footage, audiences have noticed characters using modern American expressions such as “Let’s go” and “Daddy,” which raised eyebrows. Furthermore, there’s a scene featuring NBA player LeBron James and his son, which contrasts with the principal characters of Odysseus and Telemachus in a way that surprised some viewers, who remarked that the characters seemed very contemporary.
Overall, as anticipation builds for the film, opinions are mixed, and it’s clear that Nolan’s adaptation is taking bold, and sometimes controversial, creative liberties.
