Morocco's Prince Moulay Rachid Receives US Outstanding Film Producers, Directors
Morocco, Economics, 12/21/2002

Morocco's Prince Moulay Rachid, younger brother of King Mohammed VI, received in Paris on Thursday famed US producers and directors, including Dino De Laurentis and Baz Lurhman, director of "Moulin Rouge," a 2001 box office blockbuster.

De Laurentis and Lurhmann presented to Moulay Rachid plans and time table for the construction of large cinema studios in Ouarzazate, Southern Morocco.

Prince Moulay Rachid is Chairman of the Foundation of the International Film Festival of Marrakesh.

The studios, to be built over 150 hectares, will allow for the shooting of two major films annually per year, starting from 2004.

As associated partners in the projected investment, De Laurentis and Lurhmann chose Morocco (Ouarzazate and the Mediterranean coast) to shoot their next mega production on the epic of Alexander the Great, starring Leonardo Di Caprio.

With a budget of US$ 150 million, the movie will be among the most important films in history. Some 50 to 60 of the budget will be invested in Morocco.

After Alexander the Great, De Laurentis and Lurhmann will shoot in their studios in Ouarzazate another US$ 60 million budget movie, "The Last Legion."

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