Christopher Nolan Explains His ‘Real Problem in Criticism Today’: ‘That’s Not How Storytelling Works’
"The Odyssey" director goes deep on how his adaptation of Homer squares with the "very accessible modern language" of Hollywood The post Christopher Nolan Explains His ‘Real Problem in Criticism Today’: ‘That’s Not How Storytelling Works’ appeared first on TheWrap .
During a promotional interview for "The Odyssey," Christopher Nolan addressed what he perceives as a "real problem in criticism today," arguing that some audiences aim to "invalidate" a storytelling mechanism simply because it is "identifiable." Speaking with political philosophy lecturer and podcast host Zhong Shu, the filmmaker explained that his adaptation of "The Odyssey" presents the military genius of Odysseus (Matt Damon) as something he must repent for, a more contemporary interpretation compared to ancient Greek culture.
Nolan maintained that the audience's ability to identify the mechanism does not invalidate its effectiveness in storytelling. He emphasized that filmmakers must be mindful of the audience's energy and the interaction between their intentions and the audience's reception. Nolan noted that professional film criticism generally understands the necessity for these mechanisms, while amateur criticism often falls short by penalizing filmmakers for making the mechanisms recognizable.
The interviewer playfully suggested that Nolan was facing skeptical readings from "classicists" and "academics." Nolan's extensive response to such criticisms represents his most comprehensive defense yet of his adaptation.
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