Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey Sparks Controversy Over Filming Location in Western Sahara

Christopher Nolan’s New Epic Under Fire for Filming in Western Sahara

Award-winning director Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated adaptation of The Odyssey has become the center of heated debate—not for its star-studded cast or ambitious IMAX production, but for its chosen filming location: the city of Dakhla in Western Sahara. Human rights advocates and the Western Sahara International Film Festival (FiSahara) have voiced strong objections to Universal Pictures and Nolan's decision to shoot in this politically sensitive region, which remains under Moroccan military control and is home to a long-disputed Sahrawi population.

Controversy Over Filming in a "News Black Hole"

FiSahara, a film festival held in Sahrawi refugee camps in Algeria, issued a statement condemning the production’s presence in Dakhla. According to the organization, filming in an area described by Reporters Without Borders as a "news black hole" could inadvertently legitimize Morocco’s occupation and suppression of indigenous Sahrawi communities. Maria Carrión, FiSahara’s executive director, stressed that the movie’s production team might be unaware of the harsh realities facing locals, emphasizing that Morocco often attempts to redefine Sahrawi identity through parallel festivals and big-budget film shoots that rebrand the region as part of Moroccan culture.

To date, neither Universal Pictures nor Christopher Nolan has responded to the growing criticism.

Plot, Cast, and Production Details

The Odyssey brings Homer’s legendary adventure to life on an epic scale. The film follows Odysseus, king of Ithaca, as he navigates perilous obstacles in his journey home from the Trojan War—a story packed with danger, intrigue, and mythological wonders. In a powerful lead performance, Matt Damon takes on the title role of Odysseus, with Tom Holland playing his son, Telemachus.

Supporting them is an extraordinary ensemble cast including Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, and Jon Bernthal. Christopher Nolan serves as both writer and director, promising a visually striking spectacle by filming the entire project with advanced IMAX cameras. Universal Pictures is backing the project as producers.

Critical Reception and Looking Ahead

While the film has yet to be released, the controversy surrounding its filming location has already sparked global discussion about the intersection of art, ethics, and geopolitics. True to Nolan’s reputation for pushing cinematic boundaries, The Odyssey is set to become the first major blockbuster shot entirely in IMAX. Movie lovers can look forward to its worldwide premiere, set for July 17, 2026. As the debate continues, The Odyssey will no doubt remain in the spotlight—not just for its cinematic ambition, but for the complex cultural conversations it ignites.