Morocco is a land of rich culture, history and natural beauty, which is why so many production companies take advantage of its great heritage, its diverse landscapes and the special light that brings out the colors of its cities.
That’s also why more and more films and TV series are shot in Morocco every year. And if we look back, there are plenty of great movies set right here, from Gladiator to The Man Who Knew Too Much, from The Last Temptation of Christ to Queen of the Desert.
It’s also worth mentioning some major film events, like the Marrakech International Film Festival: founded in 2001 at the wish of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the festival is now a key event that attracts a growing number of established directors and young talents every year.
Marrakech Express
On this long journey through must-see films to watch before leaving for Morocco, I have to mention an all-Italian film, Marrakech Express.
Released in 1989 and one of Gabriele Salvatores’ best-known films, it tells the unlikely journey of Marco, a young engineer, and his group of friends to Marrakech. Plenty of mishaps and misadventures ensue, against an obviously enchanting backdrop.
The Man Who Knew Too Much
Alfred Hitchcock first made it in 1934 and then remade it himself in 1956: it’s considered one of the master’s great works and a must-see of world cinema.
The 1956 version of The Man Who Knew Too Much is set in Marrakech, where the murder that kicks off the story takes place, with wonderful scenes shot in the city’s symbol, Jemaa el-Fna Square. The film is marvelous, and so are the glimpses of Marrakech you can enjoy thanks to this work of art.
The Sheltering Sky
Which brings us to one of my favorite films, The Sheltering Sky (released in Italy as Il tè nel deserto). Another Italian film, a 1990 masterpiece by the great Bernardo Bertolucci, it’s based on Paul Bowles’ novel of the same name and tells the story of a couple and their friend traveling through the Sahara Desert. Tangier, the Kasbah of Aït Benhaddou and the desert around Ouarzazate are the incredible settings for the characters’ story.
The music by the late Ryuichi Sakamoto makes for an unforgettable soundtrack, another reason to watch this film at least once in your life.
Gladiator
Although Gladiator brings ancient Rome to mind, Ridley Scott’s film starring Russell Crowe was also shot in Morocco. In particular, the fortified village of Aït Benhaddou is where the training scenes of Maximus and the other gladiators were filmed.
So even this award-winning film has a touch of Morocco!
Hideous Kinky
Back to Marrakech once again with Hideous Kinky, a 1998 film based on the novel by Esther Freud (if the surname rings a bell, it’s because she’s Sigmund Freud’s great-granddaughter). The film tells the story of Julia, a young single mother who moves to Morocco in the 1970s in search of a personal rebirth.
Among the most enchanting places you can see in the film are the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the unmissable Jemaa el-Fna Square and some mountain villages such as Tinghir.
The Last Temptation of Christ
Among the great films shot in Morocco is also The Last Temptation of Christ by Martin Scorsese. Some memorable scenes are made even more striking by the enchanting Moroccan settings: think of the meeting between Jesus and Pontius Pilate, staged inside the Royal Palace of Meknes, or the other scenes shot between Ouarzazate and the Atlas Mountains.
The Mummy
In theory, The Mummy was supposed to be set in Egypt, but in reality most of the scenes were shot in Morocco, specifically in the southeastern part of the desert.
The set for the ancient city of Hamunaptra was built in a volcanic crater near the town of Erfoud, while the sequel was filmed on the dunes of Erg Chebbi.
Queen of the Desert
In Werner Herzog’s Queen of the Desert, Nicole Kidman plays an explorer and British secret agent.
What’s left for us to admire is that much of the filming took place in Morocco, specifically in Merzouga, which is easy to recognize!
Kingdom of Heaven
Kingdom of Heaven is a 2005 Ridley Scott film shot largely in Ouarzazate, at the Atlas Film Studios. As often happens, the Moroccan settings stand in for other places: the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert become Israel and Jordan, while the walls of Aït Benhaddou become the defenses of Jerusalem.
Game of Thrones
Finally, let’s wrap up with Game of Thrones. Although it’s not a film, the TV series based on George R.R. Martin’s books deserves a mention for the many scenes shot right here in Morocco.
For example, die-hard fans will know that the city of Yunkai is none other than Aït Benhaddou, and that Astapor was recreated using the fortifications of Essaouira!
Lisa
