Christopher Nolan’s next cinematic venture is an adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey, described as a “mythic action epic.”
Universal Studios announced the project, set to release in July 2026, and revealed it will utilise cutting-edge IMAX technology.
Following his success with Oppenheimer, Nolan continues his partnership with Universal, casting stars like Tom Holland, Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, and Zendaya.
Popular couple Tom Holland and Zendaya are said to be starring in the film. Photo: Getty.
Homer’s Odyssey, composed in ancient Greece, has inspired only a few notable screen adaptations, including the 1954 Italian film Ulysses and the Greek auteur Theo Angelopoulos’s Ulysses’ Gaze.
Nolan’s ambitious project promises to bring this epic to life on a grand cinematic scale.
The Museum of the Riverina has unveiled a new exhibition, The Lex Factor: From Wagga to the World Stage, celebrating the life and legacy of the late Lex Marinos, one of Wagga Wagga’s most beloved figures.
Marinos, who passed away earlier this year, was deeply proud of his Wagga roots, and the exhibition, which was created in collaboration with him before his death, showcases items from his storied life.
All photos copyright Effy Alexakis.
The exhibition includes personal artefacts, photographs, and stories that highlight his diverse career, his advocacy for diversity and equality, and his enduring love for his hometown.
It offers a behind-the-scenes look at Marinos’ multifaceted career and personal journey, from his childhood in Wagga to his rise as a national icon in theatre, film, television, and beyond.
The exhibition’s launch on Friday, December 20, was well attended, with formal proceedings having to move to a bigger space because of numbers. A film was shown to the audience on the day which was filmed the day before Marinos passed away.
On the day, speeches were made by Luke Grealy, General Manager of the Museum of the Riverina; exhibition curator Michelle Maddison; and Wagga Wagga City Council Mayor Dallas Tout. The Marinos family was represented by Lex’s son Van and his wife Anne.
Anne and Roxanne (daughter of Lex) talking to local Greeks in Wagga.
Mayor of Wagga Wagga Dallas Tout addressing the audience.
Marinos, a self-proclaimed “renaissance man,” enjoyed a career spanning theatre, film, television, sports, radio, and writing. He was also a passionate advocate for diversity in the arts.
Grealy described the exhibition as not only a tribute to Marinos, but also a heartfelt farewell to a performer who had left an indelible mark on Australian culture.
Van with his daughter.Angelo Loukakis, Ann McMahon (seated) with Sophia Marinos and Nina Rubino.
The exhibition features memories from Marinos’ early years in Wagga, including stories of working at his family’s fish and chip shop on Fitzmaurice Street, where he faced racist abuse during the day but found solace in the Greek music and culture of his family’s home at night.
Lex’s children, L to R: Sophia, Van, Roxanne and Andy.Son Van with all of Lex’s grandchildren.
“He’s always been proud to say he was from Wagga and talk about the benefits of growing up here,” Grealy added.
“Now, with this exhibition, he’s back for one last time.”
The Lex Factor: From Wagga to the World Stage is on display at the Museum of the Riverina’s Historic Council Chambers site from 18 December 2024 to 2 February 2025.
On Saturday, December 21, the courtyard of the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady in Redfern, Sydney, was filled with the spirit of Christmas as the Greek Orthodox community gathered for the annual Christmas Carols event hosted by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (GOAA).
The event featured a rich musical program, blending joyful Christmas and New Year’s carols with church hymns and songs tied to the Holy Twelve Days of Christmas. The diverse array of performances delighted the large audience and captured the deep spiritual joy of the season.
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia attended and gave an emotional address. He thanked all those who participated in making the event a success, and reflected on the significance of Christmas.
Also in attendance were notable figures including Archons of the Holy Great Church of Christ, and Athanassios Lambrou, First Counsellor for Public Diplomacy at the Consulate of Greece in Sydney.
The event was organised by the GO Youth NSW and the GO Family & Friends Ministry, under the guidance of His Grace Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia and Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne Christophoros Krikelis, Chancellor and Dean of the Cathedral.
Youth emcees Vasilios Manis and Nikoleta Spyropoulos hosted the evening, while musical performances were provided by the Australian Byzantine Choir, the Melisma Choir under the direction of Dimitrios Koumbaroulis, youth choirs from the Greek Orthodox Christian Society in Sydney, and Pontoxeniteas NSW featuring the Pontian lyra player Kostas Papoulidis.
Children’s choirs from the Sunday Schools of the Parish-Community of the Resurrection of Christ in Kogarah and All Saints in Belmore also took part.
Sydney’s Carols in the Domain 2024 was a celebration of Christmas spirit, and one artist who truly made his mark on the evening was acclaimed baritone Leon Vitogiannis.
Known for his powerful voice and heartfelt performances, Vitogiannis took to the stage as part of the Young Stars of Australian Opera group, bringing festive joy to thousands of attendees.
In a social media post after the event, Vitogiannis described the experience as “nothing short of magical,” and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to perform in such a joyful, communal setting.
“Sharing the stage with so many incredible musicians and creatives, and seeing the joy on everyone’s faces made it a truly unforgettable experience,” he wrote, capturing the essence of what made the night so special.
The iconic Carols in the Domain, held in the heart of Sydney, is a beloved tradition that draws massive crowds each year to celebrate Christmas.
This year’s event was no different, with stunning performances, vibrant decorations, and a palpable sense of holiday magic in the air.
St Euphemia College in Bankstown, Sydney has ranked 12th out of the top 20 schools in New South Wales for its results in the Higher School Certificate (HSC) English Advanced and Extension courses.
This result is a significant boost compared to last year where only 18 per cent of students achieved a Band 6.
St Euphemia College announced the news on Facebook and attributed the result to its “hardworking teachers and students who have achieved this incredible result together.”
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia has issued a special Christmas message to Greek Orthodox faithful.
Full message in English:
Revered Fellow Bishops and Beloved Children,
We are a people who take pride in our history and glorious past, in our philosophy, poetry, arts, and culture. A shining example of global poetic excellence is the works of Homer, which mark the beginning of European and, by extension, Western literature. In the Odyssey, Homer recounts the adventures of Odysseus as he strives to return to his homeland. I shall not delve into all the events but will highlight the episode where Odysseus finds himself on the island of Circe, who, with her magical wand, transforms his companions into swine. She did not torture them, imprison them, or take their lives but degraded them to the level of animals. It was inconceivable for the sorceress Circe to bestow her powers and magical authority upon Odysseus’s companions.
When God decided to intervene in the world, He acted humbly. Thankfully, He did not seek human counsel, for we, as humans, would have likely advised Him to follow Circe’s example: to use His divine power to humiliate, punish, and subdue humanity. However, instead of degrading humanity, God humbled Himself and chose to become human so that humanity might become divine.
This means that God’s incarnation is not merely a commemorative or celebratory event. It is neither limited to decorations and lights, nor the exchange of gifts and festive dinners. The birth of Christ is a call to ascent, progress, or, to use a more ecclesiastical term, a call to holiness. Christmas signifies an understanding that, as humans, we have potential and possibilities that extend beyond the limitations of animals, whose capacities are finite and whose spiritual horizons are non-existent. Christmas is the realisation that life does not cease, even in death.
On behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod and my fellow bishops, I wish you all a blessed Christmas and a joyful New Year. May 2025 be a year of happiness, peace, and salvation for your families, colleagues, our nation, and our Church.
In Sydney, 25th December 2024 † Archbishop of Australia MAKARIOS
Father Andrew, who was born in Western Sydney and has been a priest in Australia for the last 18 years, revealed the importance of December 25 and why it is celebrated.
“It’s the birth of Jesus – the reason why we celebrate Christmas,” he said.
“The fact that Jesus was born and put on human flesh to save the world is a great miracle, and a miracle that we all need to have deeply in our hearts.
“Without this miracle, Jesus would not have come into the world. Jesus would not have conducted all his miracles; he wouldn’t have resurrected from the dead. It’s because of the birth of Christ, a great miracle, that we all have the opportunity to be saved.”
A full church for Christmas
The priest also explained that another miracle experienced on Christmas Day “is the fact that all our churches are full of people.”
“We have church every Sunday however, our churches don’t always fill up. When it comes to these big days, such as the celebration of the Virgin Mary, Easter, and Christmas, all these people just come to church and receive Holy Communion. So that is indeed, a miracle,” Father Andrew said.
“It’s fantastic. As priests, we work hard to fill up the church and to spread spirituality amongst our communities, and to see the churches filled up is amazing.
“We see it as a miracle because it is. We have so many Sundays, and so many feast days throughout the year, and yes, people come, but not as much as Christmas and Easter. So that’s divine intervention and God just inspires everyone to come into the church.”
Father Andrew added that it’s an “amazing feeling” to see everyone in church smiling and enjoy the Christmas service.
“Doing the service, communicating to so many people, and giving antidoro afterwards is also so satisfying. It’s just amazing to see people in church on the day of the birth of Christ, which, in my view, confirms his existence,” he said.
Christmas wishes
To conclude his interview, Father Andrew expressed his wishes for the holiday season.
“May the birth of Christ inspire all of us to become stronger Christians, to become stronger human beings, and to stay close to our family – everything starts from the family,” he said.
“May you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”
The Canberra Hellenic Dancers’ (CHD) Family Night, the organisation’s largest annual event, brought together more than 550 attendees this year in a vibrant celebration of Greek culture, community and dance.
This year’s theme, “Greece’s Got Talent,” featured an entertaining panel of judges, including Simon Cowell, iconic Greek singer Anna Vissi, and the humorous Yiayia Frosso, “direct from the horio.”
The night showcased a variety of performances, from magicians and ventriloquists to some (slightly off-key) singers, keeping the audience thoroughly entertained.
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the performances by CHD’s dancing groups. Students proudly displayed what they had been learning throughout the year, incorporating both traditional and modern Greek dances.
This year’s showcase was made even more special by the inclusion of dances learned during the CHD’s inaugural trip to Greece.
The event was a resounding success, leaving attendees with fond memories of the vibrant Greek traditions that CHD continues to promote and preserve.
The event was a magical blend of Hellenic and Western Christmas traditions, featuring an array of creative activities such as making tree decorations, crafting snow globes, and designing personalised Christmas stockings.
Adding to the festive spirit, children joyfully sang Christmas carols, embracing the cultural fusion of traditions.
The excitement reached its peak with a special visit from Santa Claus, who delighted the kids by handing out chocolate treats.
The Hellenic Club hopes everyone had a wonderful time at the workshops, and wished their community a safe and merry Christmas.
The Discobolus sculpture and surrounding park were gifted to the people of Sydney by the Greek-Australian community as part of the “Hellenic Tribute Trilogy,” commemorating the Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, and Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
The park features elements symbolising Greek heritage, including olive trees, stone steps, and a discus-throwing circle, all designed to celebrate the connection between Greece and Australia.
Community leader and former Randwick City Mayor John Procopiades, who played a key role in supporting the Discobolus project, recently contacted the NSW Minister for Local Government and Member for Heffron, Ron Hoenig MP, urging action to protect this significant cultural legacy.
In response to Mr Procopiades’ letter, Mr Hoenig expressed dismay at the lack of recognition given to the Discobolus in the Draft Masterplan.
“It is a shame that some bureaucrats in the Department of Planning thought it would be okay to simply remove a public sculpture that had been commissioned and funded by Greek organisations and various Greek individuals as a gift to the NSW Government,” Mr Hoenig stated.
The future of Stockroute Park and its iconic Discobolus sculpture has sparked widespread concern among Sydney’s Greek Australian community.
The Minister acknowledged the cultural and historical value of the Discobolus, not just for those of Greek heritage but for all Sydneysiders. He argued that the sculpture and its surroundings contribute to the area’s sense of history and could enhance the amenity of future developments.
As a result, Mr Hoenig has taken the matter to the NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully MP, and promised to update Mr Procopiades once a response is received.
Mr Procopiades, who chaired the Springtime Greek Glendi when his organisation donated $10,000 to support the Discobolus, has called on the Greek Australian community to contact their state and federal representatives.
He emphasised the need to ensure this cultural landmark remains intact for future generations, stating, “This Tribute is a gift to the people of Sydney by the Greek-Australian community and should remain in perpetuity for generations to come.”
The Draft Masterplan 2050, which envisions a transformation of Sydney Olympic Park into a mixed-use precinct, has raised alarm for its potential impact on heritage sites. The community had until November 25 to submit feedback on the proposal, urging the government to reconsider plans that would erase this unique cultural legacy.
