Written by on Feb 14, 2011. Posted in On Location

Film starring Antonio Banderas and Freida Pinto shoots 2nd unit on location in Qatar

Black Gold, a new historical feature starring Antonio Banderas and Freida Pinto, has arrived in Qatar for four weeks of 2nd-unit filming. The production has already shot in Tunisia, where several days of filming took place despite the recent Jasmin Revolution.

Tarak Ben Ammar, a Producer on the project, said: I am delighted to have started filming in Qatar. We are filming in some of the world’s most stunning desert landscapes and that will help Black Gold look even more spectacular.

Mr Ammar added: "Also, filming here gives me the opportunity to support and encourage the Doha Film Institute’s (DFI) vision of building a sustainable film infrastructure in the country.”

Amanda Palmer, Executive Director of the DFI said: “Black Gold is the first major international co-production for The Doha Film Institute and Qatar. A large-scale production is a challenging and ambitious start for DFI’s co-production, but this film will give us the experience and know-how to build the beginnings of a dynamic film industry in Qatar.”

The 1930s-set feature tells the story of two rival Arabian Emirs against the background of the first discovery of oil in the region.