The epic historical film “Desert Warrior,” a landmark co-production between MBC Studios and JB Pictures, held its world premiere at the Zurich Film Festival to significant acclaim. Boasting a stellar international cast including Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Sir Ben Kingsley, and a distinguished roster of Arab actors, the film was shot entirely in Saudi Arabia’s northwestern regions.
Directed by Rupert Wyatt, the production is the first large-scale international film to be shot in NEOM, supported by NEOM’s Media Industries sector. Principal photography also took place in Tabuk, showcasing the dramatic landscapes of Saudi Arabia to a global audience.
Set in the 7th-century Arabian Peninsula, the film follows Princess Hind, portrayed by Aiysha Hart, the defiant daughter of King Al-Numan (Ghassan Massoud). After refusing to submit to the arrogant Sasanian Emperor Khosrow (Sir Ben Kingsley), she escapes into the desert with her father. Pursued by the emperor’s ruthless commander, General Jalbazin (Sharlto Copley), Hind forms an alliance with a mysterious thief, played by Anthony Mackie, ultimately uniting warring tribes in a climactic confrontation—the Battle of Dhi Qar—that alters the course of history.
The production received additional support from the Saudi Film Commission through its film rebate program and the Quality of Life Program, initiatives designed to position the Kingdom as a thriving hub for local and international filmmaking.
MBC Studios, the premium content arm of MBC Group, described the project as part of its mission to bring regional stories to global audiences and to build a sustainable creative industry within Saudi Arabia. The film signifies a major step in the Kingdom’s ambition to become a central player in the international media landscape.
TunisianMonitorOnline (Douha Essafi)
