Christopher Nolan Under Fire for the filming of the Odyssey in the controversial region of western Sahara

Christopher Nolanknown for the creation of cinematographic epics such as Start AND OppenheimerIt is now at the center of an unexpected controversy. The acclaimed director was focused on the scenes of filming by the imminent adaptation of Universal of The odyssey In the disputed region of western Sahara, in particular close to the city of Dakhla, which is an area under Moroccan occupation but recognized by the United Nations as a “non-self-generic territory”.

This part of North Africa is visually stunning with its dunes swept by the wind, but also brings a heavy geopolitical weight. Western Sahara has been controlled since the 70s and while countries like the United States and the United Kingdom have supported Morocco’s affirmation in recent years, the area is still widely considered a busy territory.

Yet, despite its unsolved status, it has quietly become a place of reference for the main productions, also The wheel of time.

Now, Nolan’s decision to shoot there has triggered a repercussions, in particular by the Western Sahara International Film Festival (Fisahara), which operates from the refugee camps of Sahrawi in Algeria. In a strong declaration, the organization immediately urged the director and his crew to immediately cease all the production in Dakhla.

“Dakhla is not just a beautiful position with cinematographic sand dunes. In the first place, it is an occupied and militarized city whose indigenous population of Sahrawi is subject to brutal repression by occupying Moroccan forces,” said the Festival.

“Film part of The odyssey In a busy territory invoiced as a “black hole” by journalists without borders, Nolan and its team, perhaps unconsciously and involuntarily, are contributing to the repression of the Sahrawi people from Morocco “.

Fisahara expressed concern for the fact that production could inadvertently strengthen Morocco’s efforts to culturally claim and reshape the territory.

“We are sure that they should understand the full implications of the filming of such a high profile film in a territory whose indigenous peoples are unable to make their films on their stories under employment, Nolan and his team would be horrified,” continued the declaration.

The organization went further, accusing the Moroccan authorities of using the Region for the construction of political images through cinema.

“Morocco habitually advertises the cultural expressions of Sahrawi as only Moroccan. They have created a film festival in Dakhla to contrast ours and produce high -budget films that portray western Sahara as part of Morocco. However, Sahrawis who tries to make films on their lives are persecuted and have to work clandestinely and a great risk for their families.”

Actor Javier BardemA long -standing supporter of Sahrawi amplified the declaration by publicly publishing it and denouncing the attempts of the Moroccan regime to rename Dakhla. He called the transformation of the city “from the Moroccan occupiers into a tourist destination and now a set of films, always with the aim of canceling the Sahrawi identity of the city”.

Universal has yet to respond to the dispute.

The star dotted The odyssey boasts a great cast of ensembles including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Benny Safdie, Jon Bernhal, Himesh Patel, Elliott page, Bill Irwin, Samantha Morton, Jesse Garcia, Will Yun LeeAND Corey Hawkins.

The epic reinterpretation of Homer’s poetry will follow Damon’s Odysseus while fighting to return home from the Trojan War, facing mythological beasts and divine tests, while the Dutch Telemaco and Penelope await his return to Ithaca.

The film, which shot in Morocco, Italy, Ireland and Scotland, is scheduled for an IMAX version on 17 July 2026.

Since the call to stop the production gains traction, it remains to be seen how Nolan and Universal will respond to the growing international concern that surrounds the filming in western Sahara.