From ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ to ‘Dune’: Jordan’s Cinematic Journey

As Jordan steps into the spotlight at this year’s Busan International Film Festival, the Kingdom’s track record on screen speaks for itself. From the sandstone cliffs of Wadi Rum to the carved façades of Petra and the bustling streets of Amman, Jordan has offered filmmakers landscapes and cityscapes that need little digital augmentation. Backed by the Royal Film Commission, generous rebates and royal patronage, Hollywood blockbusters and indie auteurs alike have found the support and crews they need on location in Jordan. These 10 titles, ranging from David Lean’s Oscar-winning epic to Netflix’s first Arabic-language series, illustrate how the country has become both backdrop and partner for some of cinema’s most ambitious projects, helping to shape stories seen around the world.

‘Lawrence of Arabia’ (1962)

(David Lean, U.K, U.S. Co-production partners: Horizon Pictures, Columbia Pictures (distribution))

David Lean’s “Lawrence of Arabia” remains one of cinema’s foundational epics,…