Qatar and Libya Jump into the Film Production Game
Two countries with minimal experience in film production have recently announced significant efforts in the production of bio-pics for international audiences.
Libyan president Moammar Gaddafi has written and financed the film, “Dhulm” (Years of Torment) about the Libyan revolutionary leader Omar Mukhtar. The English-language feature will star Omar Sharif and has a budget of $50 million.
The film, “will detail the three-decade Italian occupation of Libya from 1911-43 through firsthand accounts written by Libyans and international witnesses.”
More information on the film here.
On the other side of the Arab World, Qatar has announced its first foray into int’l film production with, “Rumi – The Fire of Love,” a bio-pic of Rumi, the 13th century Persian poet. The English-language film has a budget of $25 million and will be shot by Indian director, Muzzafar Ali.
