On Sunday, November 10, at Palace Como in Melbourne, a sell-out crowd of 135 Ithacans and friends gathered to see the historical epic, The Return.
In the action film, Ralph Fiennes played the war-weary hero and King of Ithaca, Odysseus, while Juliette Binoche played the always patient Penelope, Queen of Ithaca.
The film closely followed Homer’s original work, tracing Odysseus’ obstacle-filled return from his epic travels from the city of Troy.
The film begins with Odysseus lying bloodied and almost half dead on a pebbly beach on Ithaca, his home island, hoping to reclaim the kingship and purge the island of Ithaca from the scores of suitors trying to win the hand of Queen Penelope, who all hope and presume Odysseus is long dead. Unrecognisable from his battles and adventures and the many years of his absence, no one knows who he is, and he allows the mystery of his identity to continue, the locals thinking he is a mere beggar from his dishevelled state.
As Odysseus heals, he witnesses the terrible state that the island has plunged into and the suitors’ plunder at his palace. First to recognise him is his loyal dog Argos, who had waited for his master’s return and, on seeing him, finally falls asleep in death.
As the action unfolds on Ithaca, Homer’s characters leap from the big screen, and the storyline stays true, with only the gods and goddesses of the original tale remaining absent. Even Ithaca’s signature deafening summer cicadas are audible in this incredibly filmed epic.
At the movie screening, the Ithacan community came together to view this action-packed film while raising needed funds for heritage and archaeological projects that the Ithacan Historical Society hopes to support and promote on Ithaca.
For centuries, many intriguing sites dating back millenniums have captured the imagination of travellers, scholars and archaeologists, and require urgent protection and research to uncover their secrets. One day, we may even discover answers to long-asked questions about Homer’s descriptions of Odysseus’ kingdom.
The Ithacan Historical Society looks forward to holding future events with the generous partnership of Palace Cinemas to promote heritage projects on Ithaca, and they invite the broader Greek community to join them at future film screenings.
As Cavafy said in his memorable poem, “Keep Ithaca always in your mind… but do not hurry the journey at all, better if it lasts for years, so you are old by the time you reach the island, wealthy with all you have gained on the way, not expecting Ithaca to make you rich. Ithaca gave you the marvellous journey.”
For those interested in the fascinating history of Ithaca and the activities of the Ithacan Historical Society and its many free resources, please go to www.ithacanhistorical.org.
