Action thriller is first American feature to shoot extensively in ancient Saudi Arabian city.
The official trailer for Gerard Butler's upcoming action film Kandahar has been released. The action thriller is the first major US production to be shot in Saudi Arabia's AlUla, known for its striking rock formations and ancient tombs.
AlUla has been enjoying renewed attention over the past few years, with its otherworldly landscape making it a prime filming location. Film AlUla, which organised the filming of Kandahar, says it has hosted 694 production days since opening in 2020.
“We are building every aspect of the film industry itself,” Charlene Deleon-Jones, executive director of Film AlUla, previously told The National. "Local businesses will support the film industry, whether carpentry, catering, wardrobe specialist and makeup artists, but it’s also about developing crew, technical experts and local talent base. We also want to be involved in the entire process of filmmaking and not just as a location piece."
Construction of a comprehensive, cutting-edge studio complex has also begun in AlUla. The first part of the complex, encompassing 30,000 square metres, is scheduled to be completed in the fourth quarter of the year. It will include two world-class soundstages, production support buildings, workshops, a pyro and special effects building, catering facilities, a sound recording studio and a 6,500-square-metre backlot, which can be used for additional support facilities when big shoots require it.
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