Black Gold

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
–

Prince Auda

Mark Strong
–

Sultan Amar

Antonio Banderas
–

Emir Nesib

Freida Pinto
–

Princess Leyla

Riz Ahmed
–

Ali

Jamal Awar
–

Companion Khoz Ahmed

Lotfi Dziri
–

Sheikh of Bani Sirri

Eriq Ebouaney
–

Hassan Dakhil

Mostafa Gaafar
–

Khoz Ahmed

Akin Gazi
–

Saleeh

Ziad Ghaoui
–

Theologian

Corey Johnson
–

Thurkettle

Liya Kebede
–

Aicha

Driss Roukhe
–

Magroof

Jan Uddin
–

Ibn Idriss

Details

Official Website:
Official Facebook |
Official Twitter |

Release Date: 23 November 2011

Filming Locations: Empire Studios, Latrach, Tunisia

Box Office Details

Budget: €40,000,000

(estimated)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min

Did You Know?

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.

4/5