Morocco.  Hollywood in North Africa

Midway between Marrakesh and the dry Sahara, is one of the world’s largest movie production facilities.  Founded in 1983 by Mohamed Belghmi, Atlas Film Studios is located five kilometers west of the Moroccan town of Ouarazate.  During the country’s French rule, Ouarazate served as a military garrison with a kasbah (fortified residence) at its center.  With snow covered peaks and sandy deserts, Morocco’s varied landscape makes the country well suited for many types of movies.  Belghmi promoted Morocco as a substitute for the Middle East and other places associated with the war on terrorism including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia.  The area around Ouarazate had previously been used in movies such as David Lea’s Lawrence of Arabia (1962). 

Inside Atlas’ 200,000 square meter grounds are false fronts created from concrete and polystyrene held up by bamboo scaffolding.  Known as “Hollywood of the Desert” and “Ouarzawood,” visitors can find authentic looking Roman courtyards, Egyptian temples, and adobe villages.  Today, 20-50 films are produced each year at Atlas by companies originating outside Morocco.  While most production companies are from the U.S. or Western Europe, an increasing number travel to Atlas Studios from Asian countries such as China and India.

Arriving on a bus from Marrakesh, we parked near a pair of Roman chariots.  After paying the entrance fee we walked through a gate flaked by Egyptian statues and past a replica of Noah’s Ark.  Well-known American movies shot at Atlas include Babel (2006), Living Daylights (1987), Old Guard (2000), and Black Hawk Down (2001).  Fans of the miniseries, Games of Thrones, may recognize Slaver’s Bay and Pentos, one of the Free Cities of Essos.  There is also a replica of Jerusalem used in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988). 

Contributing to the country’s success in attracting movies is support from Moroccan King Mohammed VI who often approves the use of soldiers from the Moroccan military as film extras.  The government also offers rebates to film countries for expenses and has lowered barriers to importing arms and munitions used in films.  Unfortunately, locals who serve as extras are not well paid. 

We passed the mock-up of an F-16 fighter jet used in the 1987 movie, Jewel of the Nile and a slave cart featured in Gladiator (2000).  The tour included the interior of a building that appeared in the 1999 movie, The Mummy and a set designed for the 2013 remake of Cleopatra.  Beyond Passion Court (used to film 2004 film, The Passion of the Christ), is a marketplace designed to look like Baghdad, Jerusalem, or Kabul.  Our guide pointed out a metal gate featured in a scene from Gladiator

Farther down the tour route is a courtyard with Roman sculptures that appeared in the 2016 remake of Ben-Hur.  Finally, we passed the exterior of a Himalayan palace used in Kudun (1997), the story of Tibet’s fourteen Dalai Lama from his childhood to adult years.  It should be noted that Atlas is not the only studio located on the outskirts of Ouarazate.  A few kilometers away are CINECITTA, Oasis, and Aziz Afkir studios.