Job Discussion Forums

[Tiger Beer]

I heard it was filmed in Dubai. Anyone notice it while being filmed? What is the general assessment of that film now that it's been out in theaters?

[kiefer]

Actually it seems that most of it was filmed in Arizona. Jamie Foxx has said in interviews that some scenes were filmed in Abu Dhabi. The reviews have been tepid.

[WD40]

If you look at one of the trilers, you see the corniche in Abu Dhabi (blackhawk helicopter and cars) and in another shot, it shows the Emirates Palace Hotel

[Mark100]

I saw it last week and thought it was reasonable for that type of movie.

Some of the scenes were definitely filmed in the UAE.

The story line is very thin but there is some good action at the end and if you have lived in KSA it is sort of interesting.

I don't think it will break box office records that is for sure.

I believe it has been banned in Bahrain.

Worth a look but don't expect too much.

Syriana was way better as it explored some of the background to terrorism and as such at least attempted to put things in context.

[thrifty]

Jennifer Garner in a clingy top.

[mishmumkin]

[Iamherebecause]

Now, the film that's really essential viewing if you are here (Dave's) is the one made by a TEFLer in Al Ain a few years ago. Marked for Life. DVDs of it used to be available at the photographers at the Al Ain Hilton. Main character is, er, an EFL teacher in the UAE.

[uaeobserver]

The Kingdom was filmed in Abu Dhabi. Writeups suggest about 20% is UAE ---- while 80% is Arizona.

I lived in AD when the corniche was shut down for the scene with the blackhawk helicopter.

For some reason - I've always regarded Emirates Palace as an educational facility. Some of my friends from HCT spent more time at the palace than they spent in the classroom.

I didn't think the movie was all that great. At the same time, it doesn't deserve the allegations it received state-side about promoting Islamaphobia.

The good policeman that was helping them was shown praying, and his vocabulary included the familiar "Hamd'allah," "Mashallah," and most important, "enshallah." He portrayed the good Islam that I came to know when I lived there.

I didn't enjoy all the "shoot em up" crap in the movie. Moreover, I was not at all encouraged by the ending (which I think was regrettably accurate).

Take-aways:

1) The director understood and communicated the importance of soverign rule. This is something everyone working in Arabia needs to understand.

2) Depth of corruption in the system. Really, I don't see anything unique about corruption. It existed back in the US, too. Don't get romantic, thinking that corruption doesn't exist in Arabia. It does. These forums bear witness to that fact.

3) Resistence to modernity by traditional factions.
As teachers, we represent modern forces. Understand that not everyone in our respective host countries has embraced modern values. There are some people that will go a long way to discourage our success with our respective missions. Guns and bullets are only one form of warfare. Economic warfare exists too.

4) Hopelessness of ever getting something accomplished.

When you see the ending - you might wonder why you even bothered trying. Remember that this particular film was made by a pessimist. I don't agree with his view of the situation. Personally, I had to remind myself why I came.

Chances are, there's a student somewhere - that is grateful you taught her/him English. Find even one --- and you know it's all worthwhile.

Cheers!

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

I absolutely concur with uaeobserver's "take-aways" as they seem to be very insightful of the situation as it exists on the Gulf save, possibly, Iraq and Iran. I'm not really surprised by the luke-warm reception of this film, especially by people who have never (although it's never mentioned in the posts) lived there and then have come to the U.A.E. which is, believe it or not, like a breath of fresh air.
Yeah, the Emirates Palace Hotel and the Corniche in Abu Dhabi with the Baynunah Hilton in the background are clearly recognizable. The taxis in the last scene could either have been in Abu Dhabi or Al Ain...but why go to Al Ain for that?
Getting to my point. As an old Saudi vet who was there from before the time of the taking down of the old SANG compound in Riyadh, the Al Khobar Towers, and all the way to the bombings of the 4 compounds in Riyadh (two of which we had called home) in '93; I felt that it was a very well-put together film. Of course, high rises and villas don't occupy the same compound save the few like the Saudi Arabian Airlines compound in Jeddah, but that's why we have artistic license. It was obvious that the writers were putting together the afore-mentioned Khobar bombing and the more recent compound attacks.
I felt that the way the compound residents were portray as being so stunned by the fact that they'd been attacked was so spot on. As a military sub-contractor I, as my compound brethern, had become used to the manditory security going over before entering the compounds proper. We always knew the threat was there, but had, over the years, been lulled into a blissful existance knowing the the 16-foot concrete walls and the constant security...which was no joke, could keep us secure in our Western-oriented cocoons. Sadly, it was just those sell-outs who allowed their uniforms to be used by those criminals to get onto the Al-Hamra Compound not to only blow up there vehicles in the community's center, but then go door-to-door murdering the defenseless until they were winkled out like the cowards they were.
All in all, a two thumbs up. I thought that the writers had done their research well and felt like to reactions all the way from the F.B.I. unit to the compound residents were authentic and well-acted.
Now, I'm off to the KSA board to see if anyone has skipped across the causeway to see it and how they feel...providing Bahrain allowed it to be screened.

NCTBA

[scot47]

DVD's are available in KSA. The film is banned in Bahrain. And Kuwait.

[adorabilly]

The movie is currently playing at the movie theater at Manar Mall in RAK. So I guess it is being played in the UAe.

[veiledsentiments]

I wonder if the version shown in the theaters is censored? Has anyone been able to compare?

VS