Christopher Nolan Faces Extreme Backlash For Filming 'The Odyssey' In Moroccon-Controlled City

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Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film The Odyssey is under fire after filming in Dakhla, Western Sahara a disputed territory claimed by Morocco. Human rights activists and the FiSahara film festival accuse the production of aiding Moroccan occupation and silencing Sahrawi voices.  #christophernolan #theodyssey #mattdamon #morocco

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00:00Christopher Nolan's upcoming adaptation of The Odyssey has run into controversy after

00:05reports confirm part of the film was shot in Dakla, a city located in Western Sahara.

00:11The region is largely controlled by Morocco but is officially classified as non-self-governing

00:17by the United Nations.

00:19Human rights groups and film activists are raising concerns over the director's decision

00:24to film in a territory with a long-standing independent struggle.

00:28The Western Sahara International Film Festival based in Sahrawi refugee camps in Algeria

00:34released a strong statement criticizing the filming.

00:38The group urged Nolan and his team to reconsider their decision, stating,

00:42Dakla is not just a beautiful place with cinematic sand dunes, it is an occupied but materialized

00:48city whose indigenous Sahrawi population is subjected to brutal repression by Moroccan forces.

00:55The festival called the production's presence a form of complicity in Morocco's occupation,

01:01and said it contributes to the effort to present Western Sahara as a peaceful part of Morocco.

01:06They added that Sahrawi voices are unable to tell their stories freely due to government

01:11pressure and surveillance.

01:14Dr. Javier Burdam, who has worked with Fi Sahara before, posted the festival's message on Instagram.

01:20He highlighted how the Moroccan government promotes Dakla as a film destination while suppressing

01:26Sahrawi identity.

01:28Despite the criticism, production for The Odyssey has also taken place in Greece, Italy, and other

01:34Moroccan regions.

01:36Neither Nolan nor Universal Pictures has responded publicly.

01:4451.

01:47I'll see you.

01:48At least in the morning.

01:49Let me take you.

01:50I'll see you next time.

01:51Maybe you just now go to the G-Rock hole.

01:52I'm really excited.

01:53You're praying for my life, not just West Mode, but it's an extraordinary thing.

01:55I really want to love you.

01:56I love you.

01:57I love you.

01:58You're praying for this time.

01:59I'm really excited.

02:00I love you.

02:01I love you.

02:02I love you.

02:03I love you.

02:05I love you.

02:06I love you.

02:07I love you.

02:08I love you.

02:09I love you.

02:10I love you.

02:11I love you.

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