Greek cinemas are inserting intervals into Christopher Nolan’s nearly three-hour film The Odyssey, despite the director choosing not to include one. Cinema operators say breaks are an established local expectation, allowing audiences to use the toilet, smoke, buy refreshments and discuss the film without missing scenes; they also provide vital takings for struggling independent venues.

Intermissions were once standard in Athens and remain particularly common at the city’s open-air summer cinemas, usually lasting five to 10 minutes. The practice declined with multiplexes, digital projection and Covid restrictions, but operators say food and drink sales during the break are important because Greek cinemas receive little government support; the tradition also persists elsewhere, including India, Turkey, Egypt and Switzerland.