The exotic setting of the Middle East sparks the imaginations of aspiring filmmakers everywhere. The cradle of civilization has everything needed to generate a memorable blockbuster, from magnificent scenery to contextual tales and reliable weather. Already, filmmakers have been capitalizing on the region’s tremendous potential for years. Among the most remarkable films shot in the Middle East are:
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
The 1960s saw a historical upheaval in the cinema business, and “Lawrence of Arabia” was a big part of it. The significantly big-budget film featured a star-studded cast and thrilling battle sequences, garnering attention from practically every film analysis standpoint. The ability to include the Middle Eastern ambiance, though, was the most stunning component of this film. The vast desert landscapes and cultural characteristics of the Middle East served as inspiration for the entire movie.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
In the early 1990s, the Middle East influenced the production of another world-famous movie. The far-famous “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” filmed in the late 1980s, followed the story of a Middle Eastern nation titled “Republic of Hatay,” where a big portion of its finale occurs. Although parts of the desert images were shot in Spain, Jordan’s environment served to enhance the character of this area of the world.
Syriana (2005)
As Syriana, a 2005 film, suggests, filmmakers’ obsession with the Middle East continued into the new millennium. The plot of this box office smash follows the geopolitics that play a significant part in the connection between the East and the West, with the oil-rich Middle East acting as a bridge between them. It emphasizes the Middle East’s relevance in preserving economies and political stability in relation to the region’s control of the highly sought-after natural resource. Aside from the plot, the film’s appeal extends to the naturally magnificent desert terrains of the Middle East, providing a remarkable escape into the amazing universe.
Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
Zero Dark Thirty came out ahead of several other successful films in the 2010s that drew inspiration from the spirit of the Middle East. The riveting historical drama tells the story of an infamous man, Osama bin Laden, who terrorized not only the Middle East but the entire world until he was gunned down in 2011. Despite being derided as stereotyped, the Oscar-winning picture was informed by real-life Middle Eastern conditions, especially the challenges of the region’s poor populations. In the past ten years, other movies set in the area have also done very well, such as Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018), Aladdin (2019), and Army of the Dead (2021).
Final Thoughts
The Middle East has repeatedly shown itself to be a forward-thinking region, utilizing its special charm to draw tourists from around the world, build futuristic cities, invest in tech start-ups, and produce some of the greatest film titles ever. In an effort to draw even more tourists to the area, especially those who are interested in modern gaming, it has recently expanded its gambling sector. The region is prepared to dominate on a whole new frontier thanks to updated regulations, the growth of casino tourism destinations like Wynn Al Marjan Island Resort, and reputable gaming platforms like casinoelarabs.com that provide online casino services in Arabic. The region’s exceptional endowment of remarkable features, histories, and cultures is well worth the attention paid thus far. In the near future, we might expect several other fantastic films depicting or inspired by the Middle East.
