JOHN WICK CHAPTER 4 AND MARVEL’S MOON KNIGHT SERIES ARE JUST TWO OF THE MAJOR FILM AND TELEVISION PRODUCTIONS TO SHOOT IN JORDAN IN RECENT YEARS. | The country’s desert landscapes are a huge drawcard. “We filmed in Wadi Rum for Dune (Part 1 and 2) and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and it was perfect,” says Duncan Broadfoot, supervising location manager. “The Royal Film Commission of Jordan (RFC) were hugely supportive and we managed to get deep into the desert there to parts that had not been filmed in before.” Of course, this comes with logistical challenges. “We had to build extensive, colour-coded, road networks (like ski routes) to get from one unit to another, and the local cell phone company had to put up masts so we could have phone signals. It was a huge undertaking, but we managed it.” During filming in Wadi Rum, the crew stayed in Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is just 45 minutes from the desert. They also filmed on the east coast of Jordan with its black desert landscape, which is harder to get to. “We shot aerials and the cast and director flew in on a Black Hawk helicopter, filmed and flew back again. There’s always a way to make things happen in Jordan,” adds Broadfoot. Other striking locations include the surprising green landscapes in the north where there are a lot of rivers and lakes, which the locals call ‘the Switzerland of the Arab world’. Then there’s metropolitan Amman with its combination of old traditional buildings and modern skyscrapers. Add in iconic historic sites, like Petra and Jordan makes a perfect double for locations in Iraq, Syria, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Libya. “I always tell producers that they can get from the desert to the city to lush forest within a few hours,” says Mann Ghanem, location manager for The Imaginarium Films, who shot the Swiss film, Fly Little Bird, and Cherien Dabis’ drama All That’s Left of You, both set in Palestine, in Jordan. Getting permits typically takes 10-14 days. “The RFC co-ordinates with government authorities to ensure smooth approvals, even for sensitive locations like military zones and historical sites,” assures Mohannad Al-Bakri, MD of the RFC. Another obvious draw is the 25% cash rebate (and 56% savings on customs and sales tax) with payments issued in a maximum of 150 working days “after all requirements have been submitted,” adds Al-Bakri. The crew base to support productions has also been expanding with Al-Bakri insisting the industry can handle multiple productions at once. “We get new talent to shadow the director and crew on our projects, so they can learn and get experienced,” says Aseel Abu Ayyash, executive producer at The Imaginarium Films. Additionally, the country has established Olivewood Studios, a facility built to international standards, featuring 50,000 sq ft of space. “We are actively working to establish Jordan as a premier destination for international productions,” concludes Al-Bakri. Main Image: Filming at Wadi Rum © Pete Dadds & The Imaginarium Films. |
“ADDITIONALLY, THE COUNTRY HAS ESTABLISHED OLIVEWOOD STUDIOS, A FACILITY BUILT TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, FEATURING 50,000 SQ FT OF SPACE.” |
