Long delayed Anthony Mackie starrer ‘Desert Warrior’ to be screened at Zurich Film Festival 2025
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Saudi Arabia’s big Hollywood splash, the action-packed film Desert Warrior, is finally hitting the screens at the 21st Zurich Film Festival. Starring Marvel’s Anthony Mackie, this epic marks the kingdom’s bold step into global cinema.
Directed by British filmmaker Rupert Wyatt, Desert Warrior boasts a massive $150 million budget and a star-studded cast. Mackie leads as the mysterious Bandit, alongside Oscar winner Ben Kingsley as the ruthless Emperor Kisra and Aiysha Hart as the fierce Arabian princess Hind. The movie wrapped shooting in 2021 amid the stunning deserts near Saudi Arabia’s futuristic NEOM city.
Set in 7th-century pre-Islamic Arabia, the story dives into a world of rival tribes locked in endless feuds. When Hind rejects Kisra’s advances and flees into the desert, she teams up with the Bandit to unite the tribes against his massive army. It’s a thrilling tale of rebellion, bravery, and desert battles that promises non-stop excitement.
The film faced a rocky road with reshoots and production drama, but it’s now ready to shine. Produced by Saudi powerhouse MBC Studios, along with US partners Jeremy Bolt (Resident Evil) and AGC Studios, Desert Warrior highlights Saudi Arabia’s push to create top-tier movies for worldwide audiences. The Saudi Film Commission backed it with cash rebates, boosting both local and international projects.
The Zurich Film Festival runs from September 25 to October 5, 2025, drawing stars, filmmakers, and critics from around the globe. Desert Warrior will make its debut there, giving fans a first look at this Saudi-Hollywood blockbuster.
In other festival news, acclaimed US director Noah Baumbach will receive the A Tribute To… Award for his outstanding career. Known for sharp takes on relationships and everyday life, Baumbach has shaped American cinema for years. Festival director Christian Jungen praised him, saying, "With Noah Baumbach, we’re honoring an auteur whose subtle insights and keen observations have defined US films for decades."
Baumbach picks up the award on September 26 at the premiere of his latest film, Jay Kelly, at Zurich’s Kongresshaus. He’ll also lead a public masterclass, sharing tips with aspiring filmmakers. Jungen called Jay Kelly "one of the outstanding films of the year" and a future masterpiece.
Baumbach’s resume includes four Oscar nods. He earned one in 2006 for the original screenplay of The Squid and the Whale. In 2020, Marriage Story snagged six nominations, including best picture and screenplay, with Laura Dern winning for supporting actress. Most recently, in 2024, he shared an adapted screenplay nod for Barbie with Greta Gerwig.
This Zurich event looks set to be a highlight for movie lovers, blending Saudi ambition with Hollywood talent and indie gems.
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