Albania has become part of the soundtrack of one of the year’s most anticipated films, “The Odyssey” by director Christopher Nolan.
The film, which premiered worldwide this week, is Nolan’s latest adaptation of Homer’s epic poem. Starring Matt Damon as Odysseus and featuring a major Hollywood cast, the production was filmed entirely with IMAX 70mm cameras and is considered one of Nolan’s most ambitious projects.
During an interview with Vulture/New York Magazine, Oscar-winning composer Ludwig Göransson revealed that he traveled to southern Albania during his research for the film’s music. He recorded Albanian iso-polyphony, a centuries-old tradition protected by UNESCO, as well as the sounds of traditional shepherd flutes.
“I went to southern Albania and spent a week recording an ancient singing style called iso-polyphony, which I had never heard in a film before,” Göransson said.
He added that the team also recorded the sounds of shepherd flutes, traditional instruments used in Albania for thousands of years. The recordings had to finish before 18:00, as shepherds started their day at 04:00 to care for their flocks.
Albanian musician Vendim Kapaj also confirmed the recordings, saying that on July 1, 2025, he worked with Göransson and his team for around five hours, performing with the flute and culë dyjare, while the project also included a Lab song.
Göransson explained that Nolan did not want a traditional orchestral soundtrack. Instead, he wanted a sound universe that felt connected to the Bronze Age. Therefore, the composer explored ancient instruments such as the aulos and lyre, along with authentic Mediterranean musical traditions.
The inclusion of Albanian iso-polyphony and traditional instruments in a major Hollywood production represents significant recognition for Albania’s cultural heritage and introduces it to a global audience.
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