Qatar's Film Industry Poised to Shine on Black Gold

Doha, September 08 (QNA) - The film-making process of the Arabian epic "Black Gold" has strengthened the base to develop Qatar's nascent motion pictures industry, a board member of the Doha Film Institute (DFI) said ahead of the film's world premiere here next month.
Sheikh Jabor bin Yousuf Al Thani said the film will be a milestone in strengthening the foundations to develop a sustainable film industry in Qatar.
Black Gold, scheduled to open the third Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF) at the Katara Cultural Village from October 25 to 29, is billed to give further insights into Arab culture and thinking.
The Jean-Jacques Annaud-directed film's cast features Hollywood star Antonio Banderas, India's Freida Pinto, Tahar Rahim, Mark Strong and Liya Kebede. The film is jointly produced by the DFI and Tunisian Tarak Ben Ammar's Quinta Communications.
Set in the backdrop of 1930s Arabia, the film's central plot revolves around two warring Emirs, who make a truce that binds them through family and mutual respect of a no-man's land that lies between their desert kingdoms.
The story takes an interesting turn when the protagonists engage in an attritional war to control oil wells and the prospects of generating wealth through trade following the discovery of oil in the region.
The project filmed at scenic locations in Qatar and Tunisia comes at a time when the region is going through changes triggered by the Arab Spring. It showcases the changes that take place, the new age of prosperity and trading power due to oil wealth and the attendant issues of balancing tradition, culture with new values and modern life style.
"This is a quintessential Arab tale, the kind of story that a lot of young people may have heard from older relatives, so part of the idea was to chart a slice of our history in a really modern, engaging way through a major motion picture," said Tarak Ben Ammar.
"It is a great triumph for the DFI and Quinta Communications and the decision to open the Doha Tribeca Film Festival with it is great news for everyone involved."
Jean-Jacques Annaud said, "The Qataris and people at the DFI have been remarkable in their efforts in working with us as partners on Black Gold. I love sharing knowledge and it's been a privilege for me as a director to shoot in a place where no cameras have ever been."
A wealth of Arab and Qatari names, including home-grown talent Mohamed Al Ibrahim, central to the making of the film worked alongside international industry professionals, both in front of and behind the camera.
The ambitious project has given the Qatari creative community a good learning experience of the process of film production, said Sheikh Jabor.
"We hope the exposure of the film before global audiences and industry professionals will pave the way for future co-productions that showcase Arab talent and creativity in the right spirits, and send a message to the world that there is a viable Arab film market here in Qatar, and throughout the Middle East, with engaged and interested audiences," said the DFI board member.
DFI Executive Director Amanda Palmer said, "Screening of Black Gold as the opening film will be a real celebration of a truly home-grown project that we hope captivates audiences around the globe.
"The film will be released to Middle Eastern and international audiences via Warner Bros and Universal Pictures on November 23, and we can't wait to showcase the Arab talent and creativity that has gone into this project, and to also illuminate a part of the world that everyone wants to understand more about."
The film showcases the aims of DFI by using Qatar as a filming location to nurturing regional talent. This is an important step for developing the local film industry. It is a project that Qatar should be really proud of and we really hope people will enjoy coming along to the festival to watch it, she said.
A star-studded cast is expected to attend the opening night premiere at DTFF 2011. (QNA)