How can I shoot a documentary or movie in Merzouga? (for professional purposes)
If you intend to film your project for professional industrial use (video, documentary, advertising, etc.), it is advisable to obtain permission from the Moroccan Film Center, where you will also be informed of all necessary administrative documents. Also, get permission from the local authorities in advance to avoid problems.
Shoot a documentary or movie in Morocco
Morocco offers landscapes unmatched by any other country. Not only do landscapes allow filmmakers to shoot in unique natural light, but they can also be used as an analogy for many countries. The weather in Morocco is another strong point to mention as a popular shooting destination. Some of the best filming locations in Morocco, such as Marrakesh, Casablanca, Essaouira, Erfoud and Merzouga, get ample hours of daylight every year. This allows filmmakers to shoot uninterrupted at any time of the year. The Moroccan government supports the film industry and stimulates tourism. There are minimum licensing and legal requirements for filmmakers and their crews.
Movie Making in Morocco
Some of the more famous movies you may be familiar with feature desert scenes and have a good chance of being filmed in the Kingdom of Morocco.
Moroccan cities and desert areas have always been magical locations for filming movies, especially when the movie is partly based on certain ancient sites and the desert. Thanks to the support of the Moroccan government and the local population, who have years of experience in the film industry, filmmakers can do their work smoothly and without loss of time. Natural light plays a major role here!
Most movies with desert scenes were probably shot in the Kingdom of Morocco.
Filming a movie in Morocco
Morocco is known as a popular movie destination among filmmakers and many famous movies and commercials have been shot in this beautiful country. Some directors visit Morocco again and again in search of inspiration and the best location to shoot their film projects.
The Council of the Moroccan government decided to significantly increase financial support for audiovisual production in the country, which ultimately led to an increase in applications for film licenses for series and films that seem to have found the right place.
In the Ouarzazate region, also known as the "Hollywood of Africa", production teams present beautiful outdoor environments such as oases, kasbahs, valleys, and deserts, all in an exceptional climate where the sun shines for long days. Thanks to the many films shot in the Ouarzazate region, they have shown an interest in the film industry for the multi-ethnic local population. World-class Atlas and CLA studios in the city offer a range of collections in styles including Roman, Egyptian, Biblical or Asian, etc.
Record number of film shoots in Morocco
The film industry in Morocco is as old as the film industry itself. The country has been one of the top films preferred by directors for many years. From Lawrence of Arabia to James Bond, the list of films made in Morocco is growing with blockbusters.
The following is a list of some outstanding films shot in whole or in part in Morocco:
1951: Othello, directed by Orson Welles
1953: Flight to Tangier, directed by Charles Marquis Warren
1956: The Man Who Knew Too Much
1962: Lawrence of Arabia, starred Peter O'Toole, Omar Sharif
1967: The Burning, directed by Stephen Frears, starring Mark Baillie and Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies
1967: Oedipus Rex, directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini, starred Franco Citti
1970: Patton, directed by Franklin Schaffner
1975: The Man Who Would Be King, directed by John Huston
1976: Emanuelle in Bangkok, directed by Joe D'Amato
1977: Jesus of Nazareth, directed by Franco Zeffirelli
1977: The Arms of Venus, directed by Mircea Drăgan[1]
1981: Rollover, directed by Alan Pakula, starred Jane Fonda
1985: Harem, directed by Arthur Joffé, starred Nastassja Kinski
1985: The Jewel of the Nile, directed by Lewis Teague, starred Michael Douglas
1987: The Living Daylights, directed by John Glen, starred Timothy Dalton and Maryam d'Abo
1988: The Last Temptation of Christ, directed by Martin Scorsese, starred Willem Dafoe
1989: Marrakech Express, directed by Gabriele Salvatores
1990: The Sheltering Sky, directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, starred John Malkovich and Debra Winger
1994: Highlander III: The Sorcerer, directed by Andrew Morahan, starred Christopher Lambert
1997: Kundun, directed by Martin Scorsese
1998: Hamilton, directed by Harald Zwart
1998: Hideous Kinky (Marrakech Express)
1999: The Mummy, directed by Stephen Sommers, starred Brendan Fraser
2000: Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott, starred Russell Crowe
2000: Rules of Engagement, directed by William Friedkin, starred Tommy Lee Jones, Samuel L. Jackson and Guy Pearce
2001: Black Hawk Down, directed by Ridley Scott
2001: The Mummy Returns, directed by Stephen Sommers, starred Brendan Fraser
2001: Spy Game, directed by Tony Scott, starred Robert Redford and Brad Pitt
2002: Astérix et Obélix: Mission Cléopâtre (France), directed by Alain Chabat, starred Gérard Depardieu and Jamel Debbouze
2002: Live from Baghdad, directed by Mick Jackson, starred Michael Keaton
2004: Alexander, directed by Oliver Stone
2004: Exorcist: The Beginning, directed by Renny Harlin, starred Stellan Skarsgård
2004: Hidalgo, directed by Joe Johnston
2004: Les temps qui changent, directed by André Téchiné
2005: Kingdom of Heaven, directed by Ridley Scott
2005: Sahara, directed by Breck Eisner, starred Matthew McConaughey, Steve Zahn, Penélope Cruz and William H. Macy
2006: Babel, directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu
2006: The Hills Have Eyes, directed by Alexandre Aja
2007: Arn – The Knight Templar, directed by Peter Flinth
2007: The Bourne Ultimatum, directed by Paul Greengrass
2007: The Hills Have Eyes 2, directed by Martin Weisz
2008: Arn – The Kingdom at Road's End, directed by Peter Flinth
2008: Body of Lies, directed by Ridley Scott, starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe
2009: Pope Joan, directed by Sönke Wortmann, starring John Goodman and Johanna Wokalek
2010: Inception, directed by Christopher Nolan
2010: Of Gods and Men, directed by Xavier Beauvois
2010: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, directed by Mike Newell
2010: Sex and the City 2, directed by Michael Patrick King
2011: Captain Phillips, directed by Paul Greengrass
2011: Hanna, directed by Joe Wright
2011: The Source, directed by Radu Mihăileanu
2013: The Bible, produced by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett
2013: Only Lovers Left Alive, directed by Jim Jarmusch
2014: American Sniper, directed by Clint Eastwood
2014: Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, directed by Christopher McQuarrie
2014: Son of God, produced by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett
2015: A.D. The Bible Continues, produced by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, starring Juan Pablo di Pace, Babou Ceesay, Richard Coyle and Vincent Regan
2015: Spectre, directed by Sam Mendes
2016: The Yellow Birds
2016: Damascus Cover
2016: Watch Them Fall
2016: War Dogs
2016: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
2016: 13 Hours
2016: A Hologram for the King
2016: Our Kind of Traitor
2017: Raees
2017: Tiger Zinda Hai[2]
2019: John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum
2019: Men in Black: International
2021: Redemption Day, directed by Hicham Hajji
2022: Inventing Anna
2022: Dirty Angels