Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey filmed in occupied Western Sahara — YLE News
Some scenes from Christopher Nolan’s film The Odyssey, starring Matt Damon and Charlize Theron, were filmed in Dakhla, in Western Sahara, which Morocco has occupied for 50 years. This was reported by YLE News. Dakhla’s coast and a white sand dune became the mythical island in the film where Odysseus is held captive by the nymph Calypso for seven years.
Sahrawi director Mohamedsalem Verad, who lives in a refugee camp in Algeria, said that attracting tourists and major international film productions helps Morocco generate profits and legitimize its presence in the region. He compared the situation to filming in Ukraine’s territories temporarily occupied by Russia, emphasizing the difference in reactions to the activities of Western companies in Africa.
Criticism of filming and tourism development
The filming of the big-budget production in Dakhla was criticized by human rights organizations, the Western Sahara Film Festival, as well as Spanish film figures — actor Javier Bardem and director Pedro Almodóvar. Moroccan Culture Minister Mehdi Bensaid visited the filming location in Dakhla and posted photographs with Nolan.
According to YLE News, at least Amazon’s fantasy series The Wheel of Time was also filmed in Dakhla. Irene Fernández-Molina, a senior lecturer at the University of Exeter, believes that Morocco is seeking international recognition of its occupation of Western Sahara by attracting investment, tourists, and film productions to the region.
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European flights to Dakhla
Morocco promotes Dakhla as a kitesurfing hub. Ryanair began operating flights to the city from Madrid and the Canary Islands last year, while Transavia, which had already flown to Dakhla from Paris, opened routes from Marseille and Bordeaux. Both airlines state on their resources that Dakhla is located in Morocco, without mentioning Western Sahara or the territory’s disputed status.
Tour operator Tui also advertises surfing, camel rides, and catamaran trips in Dakhla, and calls the local culture “Moroccan Sahrawi.” Ryanair and Tui did not respond to YLE News’s request. Transavia explained the expansion of its routes by growing demand and said it operates flights in accordance with permits from Moroccan authorities.
In December 2020, US President Donald Trump recognized Western Sahara as part of Morocco. Fernández-Molina believes that Moroccan authorities view Trump’s second presidential term as an opportunity to strengthen their control over the territory.
