The Odysseyhas become embroiled in a new controversy, with the Christopher Nolan project coming under fire for one divisive filming location. Adapting Homer’s epic poem of the same name, Nolan’s follow-up to the critically acclaimedOppenheimer(2023) entered production earlier this year.
Nolan’sThe Odysseyfeatures a stacked cast, with Matt Damon starring as Odysseus, a warrior who undertakes an arduous, years-long journey home after the Trojan War. Damon is joined by Tom Holland, Charlize Theron, Zendaya, and Anne Hathaway, among others, and, still a year away from its theatrical release,the movie has become one of 2026’s most hotly anticipated titles.
Now, though, perThe Times,The Odysseyhas come under fire for its filming near the contested Western Saharan city of Dakhla. The area has been under Moroccan occupation since the 1970s, and the organizers of the Sahara International Film Festival (FiSahara) have criticized Nolan for the message that filming there sends. In a statement, they write:
“Primarily, it is an occupied, militarised city whose indigenous Sahrawi population is subject to brutal repression by occupying Moroccan forces."
Nolan’s decision to film in Western Saraha, 70% of which is occupied by Morocco, has led to accusations that he and the film’s stars are “whitewashing colonialism.” FiSahara director María Carrión went into more detail about why she thinks Nolan’s filming there is problematic:
“By filming part ofThe Odysseyin an occupied territory billed as a ‘news black hole’ by Reporters without Borders,Nolan and his team, perhaps unknowingly and unwillingly, are contributing to the repression of the Sahrawi people by Morocco, and to the Moroccan regime’s efforts to normalise its occupation of Western Sahara.
“We are sure that were they to understand the full implications of filming such a high-profile film in a territory whose indigenous peoples are unable to make their own films about their stories under occupation, Nolan and his team would be horrified.”
The Odyssey’s Controversial Filming In Western Sahara City, Explained
The Region Has A Complicated History
TheUN has classified Western Sahara as a “non-self-governing territory,“and it is widely understood to be the last colonial state in Africa that is yet to achieve independence. Africa, of course, has a long history of colonial rule, including by countries like Britain, France, Portugal, and Spain.
Additional information fromThe Guardianoutlines that Spain was previously in control of Western Sahara, butMorocco annexed the territory in 1976 after Spain’s withdrawal. Much of what is actually happening in the region remains officially undocumented, as the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has not been able to travel to the region for the past 10 years.
PerThe Guardian, though,OHCHR has“continued to receive allegations relating to human rights violations, including intimidation, surveillance and discriminationagainst Sahrawi individuals particularly when advocating for self-determination”. Reporters Without Borders has alleged Sahrawi journalists are subjected to “torture, arrests, physical abuse, persecution,” in addition to long prison sentences.
Nolan’s decision to shoot the film in Western Sahara near the city of Dakhla is seemingly being interpreted by some as a normalization or form of indirect support of alleged colonial oppression.
Despite these allegations, perThe Telegraph,Morocco’s claim to the territory has been backed by Britain, the U.S., France, Spain, and Portugal. Still, Nolan’s decision to shoot the film in Western Sahara near the city of Dakhla is seemingly being interpreted by some as a normalization or form of indirect support of alleged colonial oppression.
What Does This Mean For Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey?
The Film Is Already Poised For Massive Success
After achievingmajor success withOppenheimer,every new Nolan movie has become a massive theatrical event.The Odysseyis no different, and IMAX tickets for the movie, which went on sale a full year in advance, have already largely sold out.
Oppenheimergrossed $975 million worldwide and enjoys a 93% onRotten Tomatoes.
It seems unlikely that this latest controversy will have a massive impact onThe Odyssey’s success with audiences, but it’s still not a good look for Nolan. As of writing,Nolan has not responded to the criticisms, but an official statement could be imminent.
The Odyssey’s filming in Western Sahara is in addition to filming in Morocco, Scotland, and Greece. With a reported $250 million price tag,Nolan is clearly remaining committed to his love of filming practical set pieces in real locations, but the latest controversy is a reminder of the risks that come with filming in areas with underlying conflicts.
