This area has long been at the centre of a political conflict, with Morocco controlling most of it, despite opposition from many local people and international groups.
Image Source: X
Acclaimed director Christopher Nolan is in the middle of a controversy after filming scenes for his upcoming movie ‘The Odyssey’ in Dakhla, a city in the Western Sahara.
This area has long been at the centre of a political conflict, with Morocco controlling most of it, despite opposition from many local people and international groups.
Advertisement
According to a report by ‘Variety’, Nolan and his team spent four days in Dakhla filming scenes for the highly awaited historical epic. The star-studded cast includes Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, and Zendaya.
Advertisement
Dakhla is part of the Moroccan administrative region called Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab. However, the land is also claimed by the Indigenous Sahrawi people, who have been seeking independence for decades.
The United Nations still classifies Western Sahara as a “non-self-governing territory,” meaning it has not yet gained full independence.
This has led to criticism from human rights groups and the Sahrawi community. One of the most vocal responses came from the Western Sahara International Film Festival (FiSahara), which operates from Sahrawi refugee camps in Algeria.
In a strong statement, they urged Nolan to stop filming in Dakhla.
“Dakhla is not just a scenic spot with sand dunes for cinematic shots,” the statement read. “It is a city under military occupation where Sahrawi people face daily repression. They are jailed and tortured for peacefully asking for their rights.”
The statement accused Nolan’s film team of ignoring the harsh realities of the region. They said that by filming in Dakhla, the production is indirectly supporting Morocco’s control over the territory.
On the other side, Moroccan officials have welcomed the shoot. Reda Benjelloun from the Moroccan Cinematographic Centre told ‘Medias24’ that Nolan’s team filming in Dakhla was a big step forward for the local film industry. He said it showed the area’s potential as a location for major global productions.
“Dakhla has a very unique landscape,” said Benjelloun. “It offers something different compared to other parts of Morocco. This shoot could bring in more Hollywood films in the future.”
The movie, ‘The Odyssey’, is based on the famous ancient Greek poem by Homer. It tells the story of Odysseus and his long journey home after the Trojan War. Besides Morocco, the production has also filmed in Greece and Italy.
Universal Pictures is releasing the film on July 17, 2026. Reports say that some early screenings have already sold out.
Advertisement
