No Other Land filmmaker represents Palestine on Oscars red carpet
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Middle East Eye
13 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
Christopher Nolan criticised for shooting The Odyssey in occupied Western Sahara
Sahrawi activists and filmmakers have condemned director Christopher Nolan over his decision to shoot part of his upcoming production, The Odyssey, in the Morocco-occupied Western Sahara. The forthcoming film, based on Homer's ancient Greek epic poem, will star Matt Damon, Tom Holland and Zendaya - among others - and is being filmed in several locations, including Greece, Italy, Scotland and Iceland. The decision to shoot some of the film in the city of Dakhla, which is located in the Western Sahara, has provoked criticism from rights groups who say the filmmakers are whitewashing Morocco's more than 50-year occupation of the territory. Sahrawi journalist and filmmaker Mamine Hachimi described Nolan's choice of filming location as an "act of cultural complicity" with Morocco's occupation. "Western Sahara remains the last colony in Africa, recognised by the UN. Morocco's presence there is illegal in every sense from international law, sustained by repression, exploitation of land and silencing of indigenous voices," he told Middle East Eye. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters "Any foreign production choosing to shoot in the occupied territory without the consent of the Sahrawi people becomes part of that system of repression, knowingly or not." Hachimi co-directed "Three Stolen Cameras," a short documentary that detailed the difficulties facing the Sahrawi media organisation Equipe Media as it attempted to document the abuses perpetrated against the Sahrawi in Western Sahara. 'Art should defy injustice, not perpetuate it' - Mamine Hachimi, filmmaker The film was initially set to premiere in Beirut in 2017, but was dropped following pressure from the Moroccan government. Members of Equipe Media also faced arrest and harassment from Moroccan authorities. "This isn't only about a film. It's about narrative ownership and who gets to weave what tales while others are buried," Hachimi told MEE. "I plead with Christopher Nolan and the producers to reconsider this move and understand the political ramifications of their actions. Art should defy injustice, not perpetuate it." Coming off the back of Nolan's Oscar wins for Oppenheimer - and with a star-studded cast - many are tipping The Odyssey for further Oscar success. Tickets are already on sale for some select early IMAX 70mm showings and are thought to be almost completely sold out. Nolan, Damon and Zendaya's visit to Dakhla last week was also reported on by Moroccan media, which hailed the visit to "Morocco's southern provinces" - a status that is not recognised by the vast majority of countries. Local activist group Coordination Mechanism for Protest Action in Occupied Dakhla said filming in its city showed a "flagrant disregard for the region's legal status". 'This is not just a film shoot; it is a political act that contributes to the erasure of the Sahrawi people's identity and struggle,' it said in a statement. 'News black hole' Occupied by Morocco since 1975, the Western Sahara has been claimed by native Sahrawis, while the Algeria-backed Polisario Front has fought against the Moroccan state for independence for decades. Hundreds of thousands of Sahrawi refugees live across the border in camps in southwestern Algeria, while independence campaigners in Western Sahara have faced repeated repression by Moroccan authorities. In 2021, the US agreed to recognise Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara in exchange for the kingdom recognising Israel. The uphill struggle of Sahrawis battling Morocco on Western Sahara's berm Read More » Spain and France have also both announced their support for a Morocco-proposed autonomy plan that Sahrawis have denounced as denying them their sovereignty. The Western Sahara International Film Festival (FiSahara), an annual event that takes place in the camps, said Nolan and the actors should stand in "solidarity" with the Sahrawi filmmakers who attempted to document the repression meted out against them in occupied territory. 'By filming part of The Odyssey in 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', said FiSahara Executive Director Maria Carrion. '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." MEE contacted Nolan's production company, Syncopy Inc, for a comment, but had not received a response at the time of publication.
FACT
a day ago
- FACT
Everything we know about the first-ever Riyadh Comedy Festival
Catch comedians from Kevin Hart to Jo Koy. The first-ever Riyadh Comedy Festival has been announced. Running from 26 September to 9 October, the event takes place at Boulevard City. The line-up includes local and international comedians, from Andrew Schulz to Bill Burr. More names will be announced closer to the festival. If you'd like to have a laugh, here's what you need to know. Andrew Schulz The American stand-up comedian Andrew Schulz always comes close to the line with his jokes. He is quick-witted, fearless, and has made a name for himself on social media. He has already performed in Abu Dhabi and is heading to Riyadh. From selling out Radio City Music Hall to his wildly popular Netflix special Schulz Saves America, he's proven time and again that he's a comedic powerhouse. Bill Burr The Emmy and Grammy-nominated comedian stands out as one of the most influential comedic voices of his generation. Burr's accolades include hosting Saturday Night Live twice, starring as JFK in Jerry Seinfeld's Netflix film Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story, and directing, co-writing, and starring in Old Dads on Netflix. Gabriel Iglesias Gabriel Iglesias, nicknamed Fluffy, hails from California, United States. He charms audiences with his impressions and storytelling. He has created stand-up routines for Comedy Central and Netflix, and has also earned the accolade of being one of the top ten highest-paid comedians in the world. Jessica Kirson Jessica, from New Jersey, United States, is of Jewish descent and often draws on this in her comedy. Her unique stream-of-consciousness style and animated delivery have made her a staple on New York's comedy scene, performing at major venues such as Gotham Comedy Club and the Laugh Factory. Jim Jefferies Born in Sydney, Australia, Jim Jefferies created and starred in the FX sitcom Legit. He also created the late-night show The Jim Jefferies Show and hosted The 1% Club. He has performed worldwide, from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to the Glastonbury Festival. Jimmy Carr The British-Irish comedian recently brought his world tour, Laughs Funny, to Abu Dhabi. Now, he's heading to Riyadh with his deadpan one-liners and dark humour. He began his career in 1997 and has appeared on several TV shows, including A Comedy Roast, 8 Out of 10 Cats, and many more. Jo Koy Jo Koy, from Washington, United States, dropped out of university to pursue stand-up comedy. He started performing in coffee houses in Las Vegas before landing a regular night at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. He has appeared on shows such as Chelsea Lately and The Adam Carolla Show, and created Netflix specials including Jo Koy: Comin' in Hot and Jo Koy: Live from Seattle. Kevin Hart Kevin Hart hails from Pennsylvania, United States. Early in his career, performing as Lil Kev, he was booed off stage – once even having chicken thrown at him. Today, he is a global comedy superstar. Known for his high-energy shows filled with personal anecdotes, he has performed across the Middle East, from Abu Dhabi to Riyadh. Maz Jobrani American-Iranian comedian Maz Jobrani was part of the Axis of Evil comedy group. He starred in and co-wrote the comedy film Jimmy Vestvood: Amerikan Hero and has appeared in TV shows such as Curb Your Enthusiasm, Grey's Anatomy, Last Man Standing, and Shameless. His stand-up special Immigrant is available on Netflix. Russell Peters Russell Peters, from Toronto, Canada, is a comedy legend. Known for his lightning-fast wit, sharp timing, and hilarious audience interactions, he shot to fame with CTV's Comedy Now. Of Anglo-Indian descent, he's won Emmy, Gemini and Peabody awards. Sebastian Maniscalco Sebastian Maniscalco, from Illinois, United States, is the son of Italian immigrants. Influenced by greats like George Carlin and Jerry Seinfeld, he has released six comedy specials. In 2017, he transitioned into film, with roles in The House, Green Book, The Irishman, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023). Whitney Cummings Whitney Cummings is a multi-talented comedian, director, producer, and writer. She created the sitcom 2 Broke Girls and starred in and produced Whitney. Her stand-up routines explore gender and relationships with sharp, brutally honest humour. Zarna Garg Indian-American comedian Zarna Garg brings a fresh voice to the scene. Her material draws from her Indian heritage, immigrant experience, and motherhood. She made her TV debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where she hilariously shared how she once posted an advert to find a husband. Check in with FACT for the best things to do in Riyadh. GO: Visit for more information.
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Top stars and directors head to Venice for high-powered 2025 festival
Hollywood stars, Oscar-winning directors, Asian heavyweights and European auteurs will vie for top honours at this year's stellar Venice Film Festival, all looking to make a splash at the start of the awards season. Running from August 27 to September 6, the 82nd edition of the world's oldest film festival will showcase a rich array of movies that spans psychological thrillers, art-house dramas, genre-bending experiments, documentaries, and buzzy studio-backed productions. Among the leading A-listers expected to walk the Venice Lido's red carpet are Julia Roberts, Emma Stone, George Clooney, Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Andrew Garfield, Oscar Isaac, Cate Blanchett and Amanda Seyfried. Netflix returns A who's-who of global directors will also be premiering their latest pictures at the 11-day event, including US filmmakers Kathryn Bigelow, Jim Jarmusch, Noah Baumbach and Benny Safdie, alongside top Europeans Yorgos Lanthimos, Paolo Sorrentino, and Laszlo Nemes, and Asia's Park Chan-wook and Shu Qi. Netflix, which skipped Venice last year, returns in full force in 2025 with a trio of headline-grabbing titles, including Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein, a new take on the classic horror tale starring Isaac, Jacob Elordi and Mia Goth. Baumbach's comedy-drama Jay Kelly, starring Clooney, Adam Sandler and Laura Dern, is also in the main competition and on the Netflix slate, alongside the geopolitical thriller A House of Dynamite, with Idris Elba and Rebecca Ferguson, and directed by Bigelow, who won an Oscar in 2010 for The Hurt Locker. Venice fires the starting gun for the awards season, with films premiering on the Lido in the last four years collecting more than 90 Oscar nominations and winning almost 20, making it the place to be seen for actors, producers and directors alike. In the past nine editions of the Oscars, the award for Best Actress or Best Actor has gone eight times to the protagonists of films first seen in Venice, including Stone for her role in Poor Things in 2024. Stone returns to Venice this year, teaming up again with Poor Things director Lanthimos in an offbeat satire, Bugonia. One film that looks certain to raise emotions is Kaouther Ben Hania's The Voice of Hind Rajab, which uses original emergency service recordings to tell the story of a 5-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed in Gaza in 2024 after being trapped for hours in a vehicle targeted by Israeli forces. "I think it is one of the films that will make the greatest impression, and hopefully (won't be) controversial," said the festival's artistic director, Alberto Barbera, his voice trembling as he recalled the movie.
