#l'odisea 1968

[katerinaaqu]

Okay after I talked about the casting of Telemachus in the iconic RAI mini-series "The Odyssey" in 1968 time to talk about an even greater casting! Penelope! Penelope was given life in this masterpiece by the Phenomenal Irene Papas (Ειρήνη Παπά)

For those of you who enjoyed her as Anticlea in the 1997 movie "The Odyssey" I can guarantee you there is no better cast for the role of Penelope than her!

For startes like with Telemachus casting her age is simply PERFECT! Irene was born in 1929 making her 39 during the shooting of the series in 1968, which is probably one of the realistic possibilities of her age (somewhere in her mid-final 30s till early 40s given how she was still courted for her hand and hoping to bear heirs so she probably was not in the same age group as Odysseus)

Not only that but Irene Papas originally was born in freaking CORINTH! She was literally born in PELOPONESE! Which is also for your information the same geographical compartment of Greece Sparta is located in (Penelope's birthland). Irene Papas was "critisized" (not really because she was phenomenal actress) that she had a very heavy peloponesian accent. Guys the next best thing would be for her to be born in freaking Sparta itself!

As you reember from my little analysis on her appearance she simply is perfect! Tall, stoutly and regaly built and exceptionally beautiful woman for her age (the type of beauty that would make 108 men turn their heads to look at her!) and with beautiful ivory-shade skin with her light olive shade to match her description! Her curls and her black hair simply make her the perfect cast!

Her chemistry with Bekim Fehmiou (Odysseus) and Renaud Varley (Telemachus) is simply unparalleled as well as the way she plays her role! Her dignity and the sadness inscribed in her eyes! Is just *chef kiss*

One of my favorite moments of hers is her emotional collapse when she realizes her son has also left for a trip even if he is not trained to navigate. She basically yells to her maids how they hid this from her and Euryclea stands in the middle defending them and immediately Penelope sits down defeated mumbling why now her son is left (especially since she knows how much in danger he is in! The collapse of a woman that had enough pain already is simply and yet amazingly portrayed!

I also loved her prayer scenes! The director not only makes her handmaids chant together in repetition like an ancient greek tragedy choir but also they are clasping their fists together making noise to send away evil. Penelope is also seen praying by clanging two bracelets together while pacing up and down her rooms.

And of course the scenes with Odysseus!!! Just can't! In fact she immediately goes to disguised Odysseus when he describes the robe and the brooch he wore by saying "Odysseus! Is that you?" and the longing in her eyes is unparalleled! And of course Odysseus backs up coming up with a lie. But their chemisty is just amazing!!! The way Fehmiou cries watching her and Papas brings the longing of Penelope out! I also loved that she didn't really abandon completely her instict because when Euryclea arrives to wash Odysseu's feet she says "He has the same age as your master but his torments aged him prematurely" like...yeah she knows deep down she was not wrong!!!!

GUYS!!! This adaptation is just gold and diamonds together!!!!!