Greek paper loses it over Brad Pitt — and it’s hilariously or at least partly wrong
"Why is Greece in 2026 so dazzled by an international film production?"
“Why is Greece in 2026 so dazzled by an international film production on its territory?”
It’s a fair question, and one posed by this mainstream Greek newspaper.
Its writer accuses the Greeks of a sort of starry-eyed provincialism over the presence of Brad Pitt in Greece for the filming of a movie called The Riders. We’ve covered this, of course, especially the actor’s sashay through Hydra.
But some Greek journalists have been tracking Pitt so closely you could be forgiven for thinking that they’ve never seen a camera before — that, at least, seems to be the contention of some critics. How bad is it? One reporter shouted the question “How do you like Greece?” at the actor while he was walking near the port (under escort) to which he replied (while still walking) “I love it here!” — the reporter framed this as an “exclusive interview.”
Brad Pitt does represent real star power, but it’s hard to explain to most people who don’t live in L.A. or New York that film work is just work, and it’s more often an intrusion and annoyance than anything else.
When Sex and the City was filming around downtown Manhattan, it was frankly a pain in the ass — big film trucks blocking sidewalks, self-important production lice taking up our prized space, forcing New Yorkers to make detours just to cross the friggin’ street. And for what? A vapid show. But we’re all supposed to make blind obeisance for some bland Hollywood product?
That gets to the core of the problem with the Brad Pitt hype — he’s an actor, not an artist. The movie seems crushingly underwhelming in both its plot and, well, its plot, because that’s what movies are. Not painting or poetry.
This one’s about a man whose wife leaves him and his young daughter for unexplained reasons. Based on an obscure novel from 1994. Shortlisted for a prize that it didn’t win (like, um, I was on the upgrade list for First Class but didn’t make it — do I get to brag about that?) Anyway so implausible: as per one astute Hollywood wag, “no woman walks away from Brad Pitt.”
To which we add so, your wife ditches you? Get over it dude: if it’s 2026, swipe right. If it’s last century, go down the pub and figure it out.
This is not to belittle a big Hollywood production, but also, it’s sort of to belittle a big Hollywood production. I mean, we get it: at 62, Brad Pitt is too old to play Spiderman. But in a way, isn’t coming all the way to Greece to make it a backdrop for a some hackneyed storyline about a failed marriage a kind of unspoken insult? Grant us culturally insensitive at least.
Hydra is the repository of some of the most significant Greek maritime heritage there is. In addition to its obviously gorgeous harbor, Hydra was an incubator for the Greek Revolution. From 1821 to 1829 in particular.
Hydra had a strong fleet of merchant ships, which could be converted into warships. And they were.
Hydra’s captains led many successful naval engagements against the Ottoman navy, disrupting supply lines and blockading ports. Famous battles include the Battle of Patras and other operations in the Aegean.
Hydriot captains such as Georgios Kountouriotis and Laskarina Bouboulina (though Bouboulina was from Spetses, she collaborated closely with Hydra) coordinated naval strategy.
Think of all the possible, and very worthy, story lines there. So Brad Pitt is talented? Okay. If Michael Douglas can play Liberace, why can’t Brad play Kountouriotis or even Bouboulina? He’s an actor, right?
No, though: he opted for the safe choice, the riskless choice, the completely scripted choice. Who wants to plunk down $200 or whatever it costs these days to go to the movies to see some frazzled guy look for a flighty wife?
Maybe though it’s the best that Hollywood can do these days. And that is not Greece’s fault.
But it is ours. 🤷♂️🎬
