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Introduction ✅
Authentic vocabulary ✅
Reading Skills ✅

Introduction: Films and Controversy

Before we begin, think about these questions:

Should filmmakers change classic stories to reflect modern society, or should they stay faithful to the original?
Should an actor’s race, gender or sexuality matter when casting historical or fictional characters?
Do you think social media creates controversies around films that most ordinary people don’t actually care about?

Vocabulary

Check the meanings of the words below

contest (verb) grouse (verb) a lightning rod (idiom) grievance (noun)

pundit (noun) chime in (phr verb) lament (verb + noun) explicit (adj)

fuss (noun + verb) pompous (adj)

Complete the sentences using the words above. Change the form and add other words if needed.

After the televised football match, the (PLURAL FORM) have their opinions on the result and reasons for France’s loss.
My uni professor often spoke (ADVERB FORM) of the inherent superiority of a public school education and Eton and Harrow’s ‘success’ in educating future leaders of the country.
Tim was (ADVERB FORM) asked not to delete the files for 2025. So, why did he do so?
Tim’s always (REGULAR VERB) about his salary and working conditions. Why doesn’t he just look for another job?
Since October 2023, the issue of Gaza has acted as for cultural and political grievances.
I think it’s perfectly normal for mothers to over their small children.
In my company, HR are here to help anyone who feels they may have a legitimate .
If I’m having a chat with someone, Sam always (PRESENT SIMPLE) with his opinion, even though no-one asked for it! I hate Sam.
After the mine closed for good, local pubs were filled with unemployed miners (-ING FORM) their lost jobs and bleak futures.
The dead billionaire’s family (REGULAR VERB) his will after he left all his money and property to his 21-year-old lover.

Key

PUNDITS
POMPOUSLY
EXPLICITLY
GROUSING
A LIGHTNING ROD
FUSS
GRIEVANCE
CHIMES IN
LAMENTING
CONTESTED

Reading Skills

Read the text and replace the missing sections (A-H)

Why The Odyssey is causing so much controversy”

Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s Ancient Greek epic, starring Matt Damon, Zendaya and many more, is (1) – but also the most CONTESTED.

Here’s why.

The Odyssey is based on Homer’s ancient poem about warriors and kings, gods and monsters. What is there for anyone to GROUSE about? The height of Polyphemus the Cyclops? The wood used to make (2)?

Well, maybe not.

The Odyssey, released in July, has become a lightning rod for (3).

Much of the GROUSING is (4) that the film is too liberal. Nolan has used a transgender actor, Elliot Page, and a black rapper, Travis Scott, to perform.

Some people have also objected to his choice of black actress Lupita Nyong’o to play Helen of Troy. One right-wing PUNDIT, Matt Walsh, declared that Nolan had cast a woman of Kenyan heritage as Helen because he was afraid of being called a racist. Elon Musk CHIMED in with his agreement. But (5) is white, and many on social media accused Walsh and Musk of being racist themselves.

Nyong’o gave her own response: „Our cast is representative of the world.”

But some people have pointed out that this isn’t wholly true, LAMENTING the lack of Greeks among the actors.

Not every criticism of The Odyssey has been EXPLICITLY conservative. Some people are complaining that (6) worn by Agamemnon resembles Batman’s costume, and that Odysseus’s boat looks like a „Viking ship”.

Another FUSS has arisen over the actors (even the British ones) using American accents and modern language. In the film, Tom Holland says, „My dad is coming home,” instead of using “father”.

This doesn’t quite makes sense. It’s (7) that ancient Greeks and Romans, much like wizards, Norse gods, and even Nazi officers, should sound POMPOUS and English.

The Odyssey is already known for its (8). That’s why people are criticising it, and that’s why they will go to see it, too.

A. the most anticipated film of 2026

B. the dark armour

C. a classic Hollywood tradition

D. epic scale and complexity

E. the Trojan horse

F. all kinds of political and cultural GRIEVANCE

G. a result of conservative fears

H. the vast majority of the cast

Key