US EditionChristopher Nolan’s ‘Odyssey’ Courts Controversy For Shooting In Disputed African Territory
WESTERN SAHARA, JUL 28 – Local activists and film groups say Nolan's $250 million production normalizes Morocco's disputed control and repression of the Sahrawi people in Western Sahara, a non-self-governing territory.
- Christopher Nolan is currently filming 'The Odyssey' in Dakhla, Western Sahara, a disputed territory for over 50 years, sparking controversy among activists and human rights groups.
- As a disputed territory, Western Sahara remains non-self-governing, and a UN report last year noted Sahrawi individuals faced human rights violations advocating for self-determination.
- FiSahara warned that the film's production could normalize repression, and some NGOs have accused Morocco of abuses in Western Sahara.
- The Odyssey is facing backlash from critics and African film organizations, with concerns raised over filming in a disputed territory last week.
- Next year, 'The Odyssey' is set to release on July 17, 2026, and with a $250 million budget, Adala UK warned the Dakhla shoot could legitimize Morocco's occupation.
27 Articles
27 Articles
Why is Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' shoot accused of colonialism?
The Oscar-winning director of 'Oppenheimer' has shot scenes for his upcoming epic 'The Odyssey' in Dakhla, which has been under Moroccan occupation for 50 years. The filmmaker and his team have been accused of "perhaps unknowingly" contributing to Morocco’s “repression of the Sahrawi people."
The Independent
The Independent (US)Christopher Nolan urged to suspend filming The Odyssey in occupied Western Sahara
Adaptation, starring Matt Damon, is scheduled to release next summer
Christopher Nolan faces backlash for filming The Odyssey in disputed Western Sahara
Christopher Nolan is filming parts of The Odyssey in the disputed Western Sahara region. The decision has drawn criticism over the ongoing Moroccan occupation and repression of the Sahrawi people.
Christopher Nolan's upcoming spectacle is expected to be a Barbenheimer-like phenomenon. Ticketmasters are already selling tickets for next summer's screenings for hundreds of dollars.
Christopher Nolan Urged to Halt ‘The Odyssey’ Filming in Occupied Western Sahara: ‘Contributing to Morocco’s Repression of the Sahrawi People’
Christopher Nolan is facing criticism for filming parts of his upcoming "The Odyssey" in the Western Sahara, 70% of which is occupied by Morocco.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 47% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
