We left the Atlantic coast and headed through the Saffron growing valley and to the dry leeward side of the High Atlas Mountains.The Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou — Listed as a World Heritage by UNESCO in 1987 — is an iconic Pisé (adobe and raw brick) pre-Saharan architecture village. This view is famous for the many movies it has been used as an iconic backdrop. Link for more architectural details.Lawrence of Arabia’s camels? Aït Ben Haddou is located in the Ounila Valley and was on the caravan route connecting the Sahara to Marrakech.We enjoyed staying three nights at the peaceful and comfortable Riad – Paradise of Silence! We savored the spectacular sunrises before breakfast!A drive to nearby Ouarzazate is the African movie film capital – nicknamed “OUARZAWOOD”! ‘The Jewel of the Nile’ — with Michael Douglas — was first film made here at Atlas Studios in 1985.Morocco can also be filmed to look like Egypt, like in the 1999 movie ‘The Mummy’… Atlas Studios filmography.Our entertaining Moroccan guide received his technical film degree, and has worked as a movie technician on several films at Atlas Studios……He was very helpful explaining how all the productions worked, with different camera angles, when blue green screens were used, how the sets changed for different movies — really a good dose of movie magic!The palm tree on wheels and various other props — some are just profiles. ‘The Kingdom of Heaven’ set is in the background. We would recommend Nicole Kidman’s 2015 ‘Queen of the Desert’ filmed here — based on the real story of Gertrude Bell.A short drive is the Fint (hidden) Oasis with another old village. Its picturesque landscape has made it popular for film makers.We hired a local guide to show us around the village and take us to this relaxing spot — above the green Palmeraie — to enjoy a wonderful tagine lunch.
