Did anyone hear of this project/movie to be shot???
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_15-4-2004_pg7_12
Hollywood film to be shot near Chakwal
- Chief minister, president support project
- Sheherzade: The Untold Story to build 100-acre set recreating 13th century Baghdad, Bokhara and Samarkand
By Shoaib Ahmed
LAHORE A Hollywood film company has been given permission and full assurances of cooperation by the Punjab government for the shooting of a film near Chakwal, sources in the provincial government told Daily Times on Tuesday.
According to the sources, the producer of Sheherzade: The Untold Story, Peter Ziebert, met with Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi and discussed the movie in detail. The chief minister reportedly welcomed the project with open arms. The government will not however, be investing in the film.
According to sources close to the project, President Pervez Musharraf also gave his backing to the film when he was contacted.
The shooting of the film was to start in spring 2004, but was delayed because of security concerns. The assassination attempts on President Musharraf and the situation in Iraq made the company think twice about sending a crew of more than a hundred Americans to Pakistan, as did the increased insurance costs for the travellers. However, the sources said there were 15 people working on the insurance issue and other aspects of the film in Los Angles and were confident shooting would start later this year.
According to the sources, Rafi Peer Theatre (RPT) is also involved in the project. Salman Peerzada, a founding member of the RPT, scripted the film and will direct. He has previously been involved in films such as Zargul and Blood of Hussain. RPT Director Faizan Peerzada is a producer on the ground in Pakistan. He was unavailable for comment.
Mr Ziebert, the producer of Sheherzade, told the chief minister that the film had gone past the pre-production stage in Los Angles, where a top of the line crew and cast of international renown had been assembled.
The film is set in the 13th century along the Silk Route, when the Islamic empire was at its peak and cities like Baghdad and Samarkand were some of the leading centres of learning in the world.
Mr Ziebert told the chief minister the film would present a “positive portrayal of Islam through its magical and mythical history” and showcase the grandeur of the Islamic world.
Mr Ziebert also pointed out the benefits to the economy of shooting a major Hollywood motion picture in Pakistan. He said there would be millions of dollars invested in Pakistan. A cast and crew of approximately 150 Hollywood professionals would live in Pakistan for four months. Technical and other professionals would be hired to support the cast and crew. Constructing the movie set would create jobs for Pakistani tradesmen and costume manufacturing would boost the textile industry. There would also be a significant public relations and tourism benefit for Pakistan, as global audiences would be treated to its majestic and breathtaking landscape.
The producer also hoped the film would help improve ties between America and Pakistan. “We are committed to making Sheherzade an important part of US public diplomacy to Pakistan and the Islamic world,” he said.
However, Mr Ziebert sought assurances about the security of the crew and cast for the four months in Pakistan the filming would take. He said the unfortunate targeting of Americans and Western interests by militants in Pakistan in the past years had caused unease for the cast and crew. According to the sources, he was given assurances that the Americans working on the movie would be given adequate protection.
The production company plans to build a massive set in northern Punjab near Chakwal recreating the old cities of Baghdad, Samarkand, and Bokhara. The set is to be on 100 acres, and rather than burning down the set at the end of the film, the company indents to leave it on permanent display and for other television and film productions, the sources said, adding it sought to lease the land from the government.
According to the sources, the company told the Punjab government it needed 100 acres with a clear 360-degree skyline, help in the construction facilities that would house sets, workshops, costumes, wardrobe, departments, and stables for 400 horses, special electricity supplies, accommodations, liaisons for security and administration.
The sources said a representative of the RPT had met several senior Punjab government officials including former chief secretary Hafeez Akhtar Randhawa.
Chakwal zindabad! :k:
