About this episode

Mary Beard discusses the enduring themes of Homer's Odyssey with film director Uberto Pasolini.

Christopher Nolan's Odyssey, starring Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway is filling cinema seats around the world and is already a hot favourite for the Oscars. But what is it about this 3000 year old story that captures the imagination of writers, directors and audiences today? Film director, Uberto Pasolini created his own intense take on the legend with his recent film, The Return starring Ralph Fiennes as Odysseus and Juliette Binoche as his abandoned wife, Penelope. In this bonus episode of Being Greek, Mary Beard talks to Uberto about the themes of the Odyssey that still grip us today. For Mary and Uberto it's not the man-eating giants and seductive sirens that draw them in but Homer's timeless insight into family life and the reintegration of a long absent husband and father. Producer: Alasdair Cross

People in this episode

Host: Mary Beard

Guest: Uberto Pasolini

Topics covered

• Homer's Odyssey
• film adaptation
• family life
• cinema
• storytelling
• Greek mythology

Keywords

• Homer
• Odyssey
• Uberto Pasolini
• Mary Beard
• film
• family
• cinema
• Greek mythology

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC Radio 4

Books & works: Homer's Odyssey, The Return

More episodes of Ancient Lives with Mary Beard

• Martin Scorsese and the Godfather of Athens · July 28, 2026 · 28 min
• The Greengrocer Who Saved Democracy · July 21, 2026 · 28 min
• The Odyssey of Gamma 58 · July 14, 2026 · 28 min
• Courtroom Drama · June 30, 2026 · 28 min
• Trailer · June 16, 2026 · 3 min
• The Wolf of Via Vesuvio · June 11, 2024 · 28 min

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