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Nolan's Sahara Shoot Sparks Boycott, Morocco Offers Rebate

7/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

Christopher Nolan filmed scenes of his upcoming Odyssey adaptation in Dakhla, Western Sahara, a Moroccan-administered region, prompting criticism.
The Western Sahara International Film Festival (FiSahara) urged a boycott while human-rights activists said the shoot violates international law because the Sahrawi have not consented.
Morocco, which offered a 30 percent cash rebate, said the four-day Dakhla shoot could attract Hollywood films and cited $165 million investment from 23 foreign movies in 2025.

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Story summary

Christopher Nolan filmed scenes of his upcoming Odyssey adaptation in Dakhla, Western Sahara, a Moroccan-administered region, prompting criticism.
The Western Sahara International Film Festival (FiSahara) urged a boycott while human-rights activists said the shoot violates international law because the Sahrawi have not consented.
Morocco, which offered a 30 percent cash rebate, said the four-day Dakhla shoot could attract Hollywood films and cited $165 million investment from 23 foreign movies in 2025.