Christopher Nolan Discusses 'The Odyssey' Adaptation: Guilt, Gods, and the Human Condition

This spring, I was among the first journalists to speak with Christopher Nolan about his highly anticipated adaptation of The Odyssey. Now, the movie is out and has become Nolan’s biggest worldwide opening ever. [...] You also see this idea of man as beast in the scene with Circe. She says that Odysseus’ men would have raped and killed her—that they’re pigs. Then you get to the end and see the sack of Troy and the horror of what they did. She’s right. Circe articulates it well in the film. I love the way Samantha [Morton] has played the part. [...] For me, it was important in looking at the ending to try and strike the right balance between pessimism and optimism—pessimism about what might have precipitated the Bronze Age catastrophe and the optimism that positive things will reassert themselves.