Simon West Set To Start Filming For New Movie In Saudi Arabia
The film will be shot in Saudi Arabia’s Neom next year and is based on a true story
Renowned film director Simon West announces his latest project set in Saudi Arabia during the Venice Film Festival.
Simon West is best known for his reputable movies, Con Air, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, The General’s Daughter and Expendables 2. Thus, his upcoming project located in Saudi Arabia, which was announced during Venice Film Festival 2023, is generating much excitement.
Neom.com discusses all things related to Simon’s new historical drama, called ‘Antara’, as filming is set to take place in Saudi Arabia’s Neom in 2024. Additionally, Deadline states that the new project is based on a true story about Antara ibn Shaddad, also referred to as ‘Antar’, who was an imprisoned warrior that became a famous poet in the Pre-Islamic Arabia era.
Filming in Neom is scheduled to be over the span of 12-weeks and with its breathtaking scenery and accessibility to the coastline of the Red Sea one can only imagine the scenes expected to land on our movie screens.
According to Deadline Simon has said that “Bringing the story of Antara ibn Shaddad to the big screen and the masses is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to continue his legend. The life of Antara is one of those relatively little-known true stories that prove that fact can be so much stranger than fiction.” Simon continued to say “The opportunity to film in the homeland of the Banu Abs tribe means we will keep true to the piece whilst helping to grow the emerging film industry region. It’s a project I’m thrilled to be involved with and I am looking forward to creating something unique for a global audience.”
Lead image from Harper’s Bazaar Saudi March 2021 Issue