Gerard Butler stars in the adrenaline-fueled action-thriller, “Kandahar”. As Tom Harris, a skilled CIA agent, finds himself trapped in hostile territory after a dangerous information leak. But Tom is not alone: his Afghan translator is by his side, and together they must battle not only their adversaries but their own prejudices too.
As the plot unfolds, the audience is drawn into a world of political intrigue and fast-paced action. Danger lurks around every corner, and Tom must constantly be on his guard to protect himself and those around him.
And yet, even amid the chaos, Director Ric Roman Waugh manages to paint a vivid portrait of Afghanistan’s titular city. Against a backdrop of a desolate landscape and an unforgiving horizon, Waugh delivers intense visuals and high-octane car chase scenes that are sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
Despite the film’s intense action sequences, it’s natural to wonder where “Kandahar” was actually filmed. Fortunately, the answer is not too far out of reach.
Kandahar Filming Locations
Among regions that graced the sets of the action-thriller film “Kandahar” in Saudi Arabia are Al’Ula, Jeddah, Tabuk, Hail, and Taif.
The movie’s principal photography commenced during the initial stages of December 2021, adhering to strict health and safety protocols to ensure the crew’s well-being. The filming reportedly concluded towards the end of January 2022, and the anticipation for its release is building up amongst avid moviegoers.
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Jeddah
The production crew chose Jeddah, a port city situated in the western region of Hejaz, Saudi Arabia, as its filming location to shoot the scenes that were set in the city. The team shot various shots featuring both interior and exterior parts of the city against appropriate backgrounds, carefully selecting locations in and around Jeddah to bring the vision of the script to life.
If you happen to watch the production, you’re likely to spot some of Jeddah’s most famous landmarks, including King Fahd’s Fountain, the tallest water fountain in the world, the NCB Tower, which stands as one of the city’s tallest skyscrapers, the Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum, famous for its vast collections of artifacts and works of art, the IDB Tower, a towering structure that boasts of unique architectural design, and the Al-Jawhara Stadium, a state-of-the-art sports complex noted for its modern design and facilities.
Al-‘Ula
In the movie “Kandahar”, Al-‘Ula is one of the main filming locations. The ancient Arabic oasis city, situated in Medina province of Saudi Arabia, provided an exceptional stand-in for the Afghan settings portrayed in the film due to their similar terrains and desert environments.
But that’s not all; there are more gorgeous destinations dotted around this region that may capture your interest. The Hegra UNESCO World Heritage Site, Harrarat Viewpoint, Jabal AlFil (also known as the Elephant Rock), Jabal Ikmah, and the Oasis Heritage Trail are just a few of the additional locations that might pique your curiosity. If you’re an avid traveler seeking a captivating experience, then this area is a must-visit!
Kandahar Production Details
Mitchell LaFortune, a former military intelligence officer, sold his unproduced screenplay, Burn Run, to Thunder Road Films in June 2016. His story was inspired by his Afghanistan deployment during the Snowden leaks while working for the Defense Intelligence Agency.
Fast forward to June 2020, and it was revealed that Ric Roman Waugh, the director of Angel Has Fallen and Greenland, would collaborate with Gerard Butler to produce and star in the movie that eventually became Kandahar.
Lastly, Ali Fazal and Navid Negahban joined the cast in December 2021, starting the majority of filming in Saudi Arabia on December 2 of that year. This marked the first for high-profile American productions to film in Jeddah and Al-Ula. More stars joined the cast later that month, including Nina Toussaint-White and Bahador Foladi. In January 2022, the filming was completed.
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