Christopher Nolan is now facing criticism for shooting his upcoming film in the Western Sahara, where the area remains a disputed territory.
Christopher Nolan is a well-known filmmaker and is known for his films like The Dark Knight Rises, Oppenheimer, Interstellar and many more. Now, Nolan is facing backlash for shooting his upcoming film, The Odyssey, in the Western Sahara. Organisations and communities urged the filmmaker and his team to prioritise solidarity with the indigenous Sahrawi population, instead of shooting in the region. According to a report by Variety, 70% of the Western Sahara is occupied by Morocco, and Nolan has filmed in Moroccan-controlled Dakhla.
Is Western Sahara a disputed territory?
As per a report by the Outlet, recently the director had spent four days filming in the city of Dakhla, which has been deemed the capital of the Moroccan administrative region of Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab. Western Sahara remains a disputed territory, classified as “non-self-governing” by the United Nations. The Indigenous Sahrawi people have yet to achieve independence, with Morocco maintaining control over most of the land. This ongoing situation makes Western Sahara the last African colonial state still seeking self-determination
What plans are set up by the Western Sahara autonomy?
As reported by Variety, a Morocco-proposed plan was set up by giving Western Sahara autonomy but Morocco ultimate sovereignty. This plan, similar to Spain’s autonomy model for regions like the Canary Islands and the Basque Country, has gained support from countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.
What did WSSIFF say?
The Western Sahara International Film Festival has put out a statement to stop the production of The Odyssey and said, ‘Dakhla is not just a beautiful place with cinematic sand dunes. First and foremost, it is an occupied and militarised city whose Indigenous Sahrawi population is subjected to brutal repression by the Moroccan occupation forces. Stop filming in Dakhla and stand in solidarity with the Sahrawi people who have been under military occupation for 50 years and who are routinely imprisoned and tortured for their peaceful struggle for self-determination.’
The Odyssey stars Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, and many others. It is set to hit theatres on July 17, 2026.
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