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Posted On: 12 July 2015 12:32 am
Updated On: 13 June 2023 04:12 pm

How Hollywood depicts the Middle East in movies

Cassandra Pallagud
Cassandra Pallagud
Content Writer
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How hollywood depicts the middle east in movies

It's interesting to see how most Hollywood movies and shows depict Middle Eastern countries as either very simple or outlandish. You'll most likely see scenes showcasing extremes, either very run-down areas or lavishly extravagant wealth.

According to Entertainment Media Use in the Middle East: A Six-Nation Survey, a study published by Northwestern University in Qatar and Doha Film Institute, a survey shows that only 38% out of 6,035 Arabs feel U.S. (Hollywood) films and television accurately reflect the Arab culture.

While Middle Eastern culture and heritage are something to be proud of, seeing a different side to cities like Doha, Manama, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai would be great.

Scenes set in the Middle East but were filmed in different locations

For years the Middle East has been inaccurately portrayed in films, with movies and shows having scenes set (apparently) in the GCC but were filmed elsewhere. We've compiled a few examples below.

Transformers (2007), Qatar scenes

Transformers Qatar scene
Screengrabbed from Transformers (2007)

The Transformers movie released in 2007 that launched the hit movie franchise depicted an opening sequence that was supposedly set in the desert of Qatar. However, those who have actually seen the Qatari desert will know that these scenes are not from Qatar. In the scene, the desert sand appears to be white and mountain ranges are visible in the background. Qatar’s desert sand is golden brown and nowhere near mountain ranges.

These scenes were filmed in New Mexico, and the village depicted was a built set.

Agents of Shield, Season 2, Episode 17 (2015), Bahrain scenes

Agents of Shield Bahrain scene
Screengrabbed from Agents of Shield Season 2, Episode 17

In an episode of Marvel’s Agents of Shield, there are flashback scenes set in a village in Bahrain that was shot in a built set in Los Angeles, California, in the United States.

Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Egypt scenes

Raiders of the Lost Ark
Screengrabbed from Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

The first Indiana Jones film, Raiders of the Lost Ark, was set in Cairo, Egypt as the main protagonist, Indy, navigates his way into finding the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis do. However, all the scenes supposedly set in Egypt were filmed in various locations in Tunisia.

The Cairo village scene is actually the holy city of Kairouan. The Tunisian architecture is actually visible through its white and blue accented buildings. The desert and Tanis dig site were a built set in Tozeur.

Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Hejaz, and Greater Syria during the First World War

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Screengrabbed from Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

The award-winning film inspired by a true story, Lawrence of Arabia, was set in the Ottoman provinces of Hejaz and Greater Syria during the First World War but the scenes of the film adaptation were actually shot in the deserts of Jordan and Morocco, while some interior and exterior shots were filmed in Spain's Seville City to represent Cairo, Jerusalem, and Damascus in the movie.

The Mummy (1999), Egypt scenes

The Mummy
Screengrabbed from The Mummy (1999)

Classic adventure-comedy movie, The Mummy, was set in ancient Egypt, where the main cast of characters explore tombs. However, the film was shot in Morocco, with Marrakech as Cairo in the 20s, and the ‘Hamunaptra’ was built inside a dormant volcano crater near Erfoud, Morocco.

Scenes set in the Middle East that were filmed on location

However, some films, especially in recent years, have scenes set in the Middle East that have been shot on location, giving the world a clearer realistic look at the diverse Arab cultures and settings.

Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre (2023), Doha, Qatar scenes

Operation Fortune Qatar scenes
Screengrabbed from Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre (2023)

The Jason Statham starrer had its closing sequence set in Qatar, with a few mins of screentime showcasing downtown Doha, the iconic Museum of Islamic Art, and the film credits rolling with the Doha skyline as the backdrop.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009), Giza pyramid complex, Egypt

Transformers Egypt
Screengrabbed from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)

Another Transformers movie on this list was its 2009 instalment which featured scenes of the Giza pyramid complex and the famous Great Sphinx statue and was actually shot in Egypt. This is where the Autobots and Decepticons battled it out as viewers witnessed action-packed combat.

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011), Dubai, UAE

Mission Impossible Dubai scene
Screengrabbed from Ghost Protocol (2011)

One of the Mission Impossible series' most iconic scenes is where Tom Cruise's character, Ethan Hunt, climbs the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, filmed and located in Dubai, UAE. This scene surely had viewers on the edge of their seats!

Fast & Furious 7 (2015), Abu Dhabi, UAE scenes

Fast & Furious 7 Abu Dhabi scenes
Screengrabbed from Fast & Furious 7

One of the action franchise’s most memorable films, Fast & Furious 7, featured a few scenes set in Abu Dhabi, showing off the beautiful desert dunes, the luxurious Emirates Palace Hotel, and the Etihad Towers, where Dominic Toretto and Brian O'Conner drove a Lykan HyperSport car through its buildings.

Spectre (2015), several scenes in Morocco

Spectre Morocco scenes
Screengrabbed from Spectre (2015)

Several scenes in the James Bond film Spectre were shot and set in different locations in Morocco, which include the Oriental Desert Express train, and the city of Tangier, where they visited the L'Americain Hotel and Gara Medouar near Erfoud for the crater scene. Fun fact, the crater scene was also one of the filming locations for The Mummy (1999)!

Inferno (2016), Istanbul, Türkiye

Inferno Turkey scenes
Screengrabbed from Inferno (2016)

Inferno, starring Tom Hanks, has scenes that take us to some of Türkiye's most iconic locations: the Hagia Sophia Mosque and the Basilica Cistern.

Charlie's Angels (2019), Istanbul, Türkiye

Charlie's Angels Turkey scenes
Screengrabbed from Charlie's Angels (2019)

The reboot of the classic film franchise Charlie's Angels had a few scenes set in the beautiful city of Istanbul, Türkiye, and was filmed on location.

John Wick 3 (2019)

John Wick 3
Screengrabbed from John Wick 3 (2019)

John Wick 3, starring Keanu Reeves, witnessed scenes in Casablanca, Morocco. However, these scenes that were supposedly set in the Moroccan capital were filmed in a different city of Morocco, Essaouira.

Kandahar (2023), AlUla, Saudi Arabia scenes

Kandahar Saudi Arabia scenes
Screengrabbed from Kandahar (2023)

A new film out this year is Kandahar starring Gerard Butler and is completely set in AlUla, Saudi Arabia. The movie features scenes of the city and residential neighbourhoods.

Scenes you may not know were filmed in the Middle East

Now let's take you through movies featuring scenes filmed in the Middle East that you may not know about!

Star Wars

Star Wars
Screengrabbed from Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)

The majority of the scenes in the early Star Wars movies were shot in Tunisia, specifically the scenes in Tatooine. The Tatooine village was filmed in Ajim, the sand dunes where R2D2 and C3PO land in Episode IV: A New Hope was shot in La Grande Dune, and Luke Skywalker's home is now actually Hotel Sidi Idriss where visitors can stay and have their very own Star Wars experience.

Star Trek Beyond (2016)

Star Trek Dubai
Screengrabbed from Star Trek Beyond (2016)

The Dubai skyline in the UAE provided the futuristic backdrop for Star Trek Beyond's Starbase Yorktown scenes. Some iconic landmarks you may spot in the film include Daman Tower, JLT waterfront, Burj Al Arab, and even the Dubai Metro!

Inception (2010)

Inception Morocco scenes
Screengrabbed from Inception (2010)

There is a sequence in the mind-bending film, Inception where Cobb, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, is chased down through crowds, shops, and tight alleys in Mombasa, Kenya. These scenes were actually filmed in Tangier, Morocco.

Places in Qatar that would be great for film settings

We're showing off locations in Qatar that would be amazing settings for film scenes!

Souq Waqif, Doha

Souq Waqif
Image credit: Shutterstock

Imagine a movie set in the ACTUAL Souq Waqif! This iconic location is a beautiful blend of modern and historical Arab culture that would be amazing to see on the big screen.

Msheireb Downtown Doha

Msheireb Downtown Doha
Image credit: Shutterstock

Msheireb Downtown Doha's symmetric and unique architecture would be a fantastic location for a futuristic movie.

Lusail City

Lusail City
Image credit: Shutterstock

How about a futuristic film set in Qatar's very own future city, Lusail City? Imagine this location on the big screen with actors driving through the Lusail Bridge and going through Lusail Boulevard.

West Bay

West Bay
Image credit: Shutterstock

West Bay is Doha's booming business district that would be a great backdrop to movie scenes involving business, money, and maybe even heists!

The Pearl Island

The Pearl Island
Image credit: Shutterstock

The Pearl Island gives off European vibes that would be perfect for light-hearted movies such as a rom-com! Imagine a cute scene as two main characters cross each other's paths in a cafe or crossing a bridge at The Pearl Island.

Have any other examples? Share with us in the comments section below! Do share this article - it keeps us going!