Plot
Set in the 1930s Arab states at the dawn of the oil boom, the story centers on a young Arab prince torn between allegiance to his conservative father and modern, liberal father-in-law.
Release Year: 2011
Rating: 6.6/10 (615 voted)
Director:
Jean-Jacques Annaud
Stars: Tahar Rahim, Mark Strong, Antonio Banderas
Storyline Set in the 1930s Arab states at the dawn of the oil boom, the story centers on a young Arab prince torn between allegiance to his conservative father and modern, liberal father-in-law.
Writers: Menno Meyjes, Jean-Jacques Annaud
Cast: Tahar Rahim
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Prince Auda
Mark Strong
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Sultan Amar
Antonio Banderas
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Emir Nesib
Freida Pinto
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Princess Leyla
Riz Ahmed
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Ali
Jamal Awar
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Companion Khoz Ahmed
Lotfi Dziri
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Sheikh of Bani Sirri
Eriq Ebouaney
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Hassan Dakhil
Mostafa Gaafar
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Khoz Ahmed
Akin Gazi
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Saleeh
Ziad Ghaoui
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Theologian
Corey Johnson
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Thurkettle
Liya Kebede
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Aicha
Driss Roukhe
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Magroof
Jan Uddin
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Ibn Idriss
Trivia:
Qatar's first major international co-production.
User Review
Great film
Rating: 8/10
Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud Set in the 1930s Arab states at the
dawn of the oil boom, the story centers on a young Arab prince torn
between allegiance to his conservative father and modern, liberal
father-in-law (plot), it is the highest budget Arabian related film
since LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962) and was one of the most anticipated
film events in the international film community this season, despite
the hype, however, the film was met with mixed reviews after the press
screening and premier. Expectations were high and while many were left
dissatisfied, others rated it a smashing success as it apparently
followed the book to a tee, I have not read the book so perhaps I am
missing something, but being that I have seen a number of impressive
films of late that were made for under the $1 million mark, BLACK GOLD
felt like a significant letdown with its $55 million production
price-tag and lackluster deliverance.
The highlight of the film was a fantastic performance by lead role
Tahar Rahim (A PROPHET, 2009), his soulful eyes and magnetic
vulnerability can work in any film whether speaking or just looking
into the camera sans dialogue. Mark Strong also plays a great bearded
royal Arabian Sultan Amar, even though he speaks with a distinguishable
British accent. The roles that threw the film off were those of Antonio
Banderas and Freida Pinto. It is almost impossible to watch Banderas
play Bedouin Sheik Nassib without constantly being reminded that he is,
in fact, Antonio Banderas. Freida Pinto lends the film her stunning
Indian looks as Princess Leyla, but unfortunately her dialogue consists
of cliché one-liners that might have saved the movie if not uttered; of
course bad film writing is bad writing however delivered.
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