Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.“QUIET!” The cry rings out in English, French and Arabic across the cobblestoned streets of Jerusalem, as filming begins for a scene in the series AD: The Bible Continues.
But while the arched doorways, balconies and furnishings all say Roman-era Israel, the real-life setting is southern Morocco.
Viewers in America and elsewhere in the world may not know it but they have seen a lot of Morocco in the past year. It has served as the Baghdad of American Sniper, the Tehran seen in the television series Homeland, the Mali of American Odyssey and the Egypt that will appear in the miniseries King Tut. Morocco will also be Saudi Arabia in this year’s A Hologram for the King, starring Tom Hanks.
All in all, it has been a banner year for Morocco’s status as a gigantic film set – with $120m (£80m) spent by foreign film productions in the country last year, more than in the previous five years put together.
The North African kingdom is riding high on its reputation for stability and exotic locales, but industry officials say that Morocco needs to do more – and offer more incentives – to realise its potential as a filming destination. It is contending with increasingly stiff competition from South Africa and other countries which offer deep tax rebates. AP
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments