As the ferry approaches its docking point on the picturesque shores of the Greek island Ithaca, Giorgia Ongarato stands eagerly, her mind swirling with thoughts of Homer’s “Odyssey.” This legendary epic is not only the foundation of classic literature but also a source of inspiration for Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed blockbuster film.
For this Italian attorney, visiting Ithaca has always been a dream come true. The island, steeped in myth and history, is famously believed to be the home of Odysseus, the epic’s revered hero.
Giorgia, sporting a T-shirt boldly featuring the word ‘Odyssey’ in ancient Greek script, is a testament to her lifelong passion. The shirt further bears a poignant line from the epic poem itself. “I delved into Greek studies as a youngster,” she explains. “It’s where my journey with the Odyssey began.”
Although she clarifies that her love for this timeless tale long predates Nolan’s film, the 50-year-old enthusiast acknowledges the movie’s brilliance, describing it with enthusiasm as “wonderful.”
With this renewed cinematic interest, local businesses and officials on Ithaca are hopeful that many more visitors, captivated by the Odyssey’s enduring allure, will venture to this historic island, just as Giorgia has done.
Ithaca, in the Ionian Sea off the west coast of mainland Greece, is far from the country’s tourist hubs, and despite crystal-clear waters and spectacular bays, it has never been a regular stop for travellers.
Its interior is rugged, carpeted with olive and cypress trees, and strikingly calm even at the height of the tourist season.
Controversy over the movie in Greece
Although the movie has undoubtedly piqued the interest of many, it has also been slightly controversial in Greece — although some Greek locations were used, not a single scene in the blockbuster was shot on Ithaca.
That decision has upset some on the island of roughly 3,000 inhabitants, where the film has been shown twice in open-air screenings since its 16 July worldwide release.
Xhimi Xoxha, who runs a restaurant in Ithaca’s capital of Vathi, said he was content that the movie was already “generating publicity for the island”. He predicted the positive effects would continue.
While Ithaca mayor Dionysis Stanitsas agreed that the publicity was “tremendous”, he could not hide his disappointment that the island itself did not feature.
“We had reached out to the production team and asked that some scenes be filmed here on the island,” he said. “Unfortunately, that wasn’t feasible.”
He is, however, counting on rising demand next year, and the island was already fully booked for this season by the time the film came out.
“As more people see it, they will begin planning trips to visit the island,” he said.
What’s on Ithaca?
Visitors will not find a palace of Odysseus or any spectacular archaeological site likely to confirm the existence of the hero of Homer’s poem.
But village squares and the town hall are dotted with statues of Odysseus and Homer.
And there are other pointers to the island’s rich literary heritage.
In the small sun-drenched port, boats bob in the green water bearing names like Telemachus (son of Odysseus) and Calypso (a goddess and nymph who imprisoned him).
Trinket shops offer busts of Homer and Penelope, Odysseus’s wife.
T-shirts can be found amid the jumble featuring the Cyclops Polyphemus — one of the many monsters defeated by Odysseus.
And the truly devoted can splash out for a wall plate decorated with a Trojan Horse.
Archaeologist Spyros Couvaras is among those expecting a dramatic upsurge in visitors, saying it was clear that visitors wanted more than just sand and sea — they wanted the history and the mythology.
None of those are in short supply here.
A short distance from the shops and restaurants of the port, holidaymakers stretch out on deck chairs under parasols at Dexia Beach, enveloped by the grating sound of cicadas.
According to legend, this is where Odysseus landed after years of voyaging.
Couvaras said the “driving force” of the renewed interest was undoubtedly the movie.
“But behind Nolan’s film stands Homer.”