Nolan Film Shot in Occupied Western Sahara, Author Claims

Filmmaker Mohamed Sleiman Labat has criticized director Christopher Nolan's decision to film "The Odyssey" in Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara, describing the act as a betrayal that aids in erasing the indigenous Sahrawi people's narrative. Labat, writing for The Guardian on July 16, 2026, points out the stark contrast between the welcome extended to international film crews and the severe restrictions faced by Sahrawi filmmakers and journalists. These local creators risk imprisonment for documenting their own lives under Moroccan rule, as the Moroccan regime seeks to maintain its claim over the territory. Labat argues that when international figures like Nolan use the land for cinematic purposes, they are granted access by the same authorities that silence Sahrawi voices. This practice, he contends, allows for the creation of an "ideal picture for an epic journey" while perpetuating the suppression of the indigenous population. The author's homeland, Western Sahara, is presented as a place where the simple act of holding a camera can be deemed a crime for its native inhabitants. The article references Peter Bradshaw's five-star review of "The Odyssey" and a classicist's verdict, underscoring the film's critical reception alongside the ethical concerns raised by its production location. Labat's perspective emphasizes the power dynamics involved in filmmaking and the potential for such productions to inadvertently legitimize oppressive regimes by utilizing their controlled territories.