I like the homework you gave yourself in exploring the various translations and the conversation this evokes. I won't see this new version because I LOVE "O Brother, Where Art Thou" by the Coen Brothers. It is so rich and layered and witty. When I see a good version of a text, I tend not to revisit it. I am enjoying hearing all of the talk about it, though. I used to teach The Odyssey, and I had fun with making it relevant and playing with the symbolism of the "obstacles" and "monsters." Knowing the translation it was based on does make me more curious, and knowing who played Helen of Troy makes me smile, but not enough yet to watch it.
I had NO idea that O Brother, Where Art Thou was based on The Odyssey! Now I need to watch it again. I do remember enjoying it but not really getting it. (I loved the music.) Of note: Even in a double role (she played Clytemnestra, too) Lupita was under-utilized. She deserves to do a whole film just as Helen of Troy! She and Zendaya as Athena were the token representation in the film. Hardly any lines.
I like the homework you gave yourself in exploring the various translations and the conversation this evokes. I won't see this new version because I LOVE "O Brother, Where Art Thou" by the Coen Brothers. It is so rich and layered and witty. When I see a good version of a text, I tend not to revisit it. I am enjoying hearing all of the talk about it, though. I used to teach The Odyssey, and I had fun with making it relevant and playing with the symbolism of the "obstacles" and "monsters." Knowing the translation it was based on does make me more curious, and knowing who played Helen of Troy makes me smile, but not enough yet to watch it.
I had NO idea that O Brother, Where Art Thou was based on The Odyssey! Now I need to watch it again. I do remember enjoying it but not really getting it. (I loved the music.) Of note: Even in a double role (she played Clytemnestra, too) Lupita was under-utilized. She deserves to do a whole film just as Helen of Troy! She and Zendaya as Athena were the token representation in the film. Hardly any lines.