The long-awaited 'Odyssey' film; four trees that co-founded our civilization and a Kleist that is hard to reach. The culture tips of NZZ am Sonntag.

The NZZ am Sonntag presents its cultural recommendations, highlighting the long-awaited film "Odyssey," a non-fiction work examining four trees that have shaped civilization, and a review of the Polish series "Proud."

Christopher Nolan's "Odyssey," based on Homer's epic, is finally here, promising a spectacular cinematic experience with powerful sound design. However, the opulent three-hour blockbuster, while visually impressive, does not entirely succeed in convincing the reviewer. The film receives three out of four stars.

In the non-fiction realm, forester Christian Küchli's new book, "Trees That Move the World," delves into the profound impact of four tree species, oak, teak, rubber, and mahogany, on human civilization. Küchli, who has dedicated his career to studying forests, explains complex relationships clearly. He details how acorns were a vital food source for millennia and how oak wood was crucial for barrel making before its role in shipbuilding and railway construction facilitated global colonization. The richly illustrated book connects politics, economics, and culture, while also addressing sustainable forest management and ecological balance in the face of globalization and climate change. This work is rated four out of four stars.

The cultural tips also include a review of the Polish series "Proud." The story follows Filip, who loves men and parties, models but lacks money, and lives with his sister Anna, caring for her young daughter Tosia. When Anna suddenly dies, Filip decides to adopt the child. Despite being a gay man, which legally prevents adoption, Filip is undeterred. The review speculates that Filip will learn to take responsibility and wishes the rebellious protagonist and his niece a happy ending. However, it cautions that "Proud" is a Polish, not an American, series, suggesting the creators may not opt for a simple resolution. The series is also rated four out of four stars.