Christopher Nolan is under fire for shooting parts of his upcoming film ‘The Odyssey’ in Western Sahara, a territory largely occupied by Morocco and considered ‘non-self-governing’ by the United Nations.
The acclaimed director recently spent four days filming in Dakhla, a city Morocco claims as part of its southern administrative region. While Morocco controls around 70 per cent of Western Sahara, the territory remains the subject of a decades-long dispute. It is home to the Indigenous Sahrawi people, who have long sought independence.
Critics argue that filming in Dakhla lends legitimacy to Morocco’s control and undermines Sahrawi efforts for self-determination. Human rights activists say Nolan’s decision “contributes to Morocco’s repression of the Sahrawi people.”
Western Sahara is Africa’s last remaining colony awaiting decolonization. Though Morocco has proposed a model of autonomy under its sovereignty—similar to the status of Spain’s Canary Islands—this plan remains controversial.
It has received backing from countries including the US, UK and France, further complicating the region’s political status.
The Odyssey features an ensemble cast including Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland and Zendaya.