Filmmaker Nolan Shoots Film in Occupied Western Sahara

• Nolan is shooting "Odissea" in occupied Western Sahara.
• Activists are calling for a halt to filming due to the repression.
• Western Sahara is an unrecognized territory according to the UN.

Filmmaker Nolan, a renowned director, has sparked outrage through filming parts of his new movie "Odissea" in the city of Dakhla, which is located in Western Sahara, occupied by Morocco for 50 years. Human rights groups and activists from Western Sahara have condemned this decision, asserting that it could legitimize the repression against the indigenous population.

The film, set to premiere on July 17, 2026, is produced by Universal Pictures and features well-known actors, including Matt Damon and Charlize Theron. Many critics emphasize that filming in the occupied territory is a form of cultural complicity in the repression.

Organizers of the international film festival FiSahara have urged Nolan to stop filming and show solidarity with the people suffering under military occupation. They noted that filming in Dakhla contributes to the normalization of Moroccan rule over their presence in the region.

According to the UN, Western Sahara is a "non-self-governing territory," and human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International, report numerous violations of human rights in this region, including the persecution of activists and journalists.

Nolan did not comment on the situation, and currently, his team has not responded to requests regarding their position on the criticism.

Tags: Politics/Culture