One less-known desert of the Middle East has shot to fame with the release of ‘Aadujeevitham’. Wadi Rum, also known as Valley of the Moon, in the south of Jordan, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the edge of the Arabian desert. This site, which is a gateway to the Jordanian desert and spread across 720 sq.km. of sandstone mountains and rock bridges, has attracted filmmakers since 1962, when much of David Lean’s ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ was filmed there. Since then, science fiction movies themed on Mars have been periodically shot in Wadi Rum.
Today, the Royal Film Commission – Jordan (RFC) promotes Wadi Rum as ‘the most visitor-friendly’ desert of the region. The Location Managers Guild recognized the RFC as an ‘Outstanding Film Commission’, in 2017, for the filming of space opera epic ‘Rogue One’ in Wadi Rum. RFC is looking to further its mission of positioning “Jordan as a location for international audio-visual productions, offering great locations, creative resources, as well as technical assistance and financial incentives.” Its offering of up to 25% cash rebate for fully or partially produced films in Jordan, and up to 56% savings with tax and customs exemption to eligible productions, is a clear invitation to the film industry. RFC’s claim of Jordan being a politically and socially safe environment is another draw. With Jordan’s visa on arrival facility enabled to most nationalities, Wadi Rum is expected to become the go-to destination of moviemakers. – editor@nrifocus.com
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