I’ve always loved desert epics like Dune and Lawrence of Arabia, so when the chance to film in Saudi Arabia’s vast deserts came up, I jumped at it. But I knew it wasn’t going to be a walk in the park. The country’s film industry is still very young—after all, cinemas were only legalised there in 2018—so you don’t have the same infrastructure or experienced crew you’d find in London.
Luckily, I ended up working with a brilliant local team who were supportive from day one. That said, nothing can truly prepare you for filming in the desert. The punishing heat and sudden sandstorms make for a seriously unforgiving environment. Even the local crew got caught off guard—at one point, the car ahead of us vanished over a dune and plummeted down a ten-metre drop. High winds had shifted the sand since they did their recce! Fortunately, no one was hurt, but it was a stark reminder to respect the landscape.
Despite the demanding conditions, the experience was packed with unforgettable moments. One of the best (though not at the time!) was when a group of wild camels wandered into our shot right as we were about to roll. It was chaotic but genuinely magical. Every single day was this exhilarating mix of challenge and creativity—whether we were filming a 4x4 race across the dunes, capturing diving scenes in the crystal-clear Red Sea, or chasing the sunrise at a spot known as the “Edge of the World.”
Let me tell you, the first beer after returning home tasted unbelievably good, and not just because of our three-week imposed detox! Once the edit was wrapped, I took a step back and realised what a rollercoaster it had been. But that’s the essence of filmmaking: it’s the hurdles that keep us on our toes. We thrive on problem-solving and pulling off the impossible, despite the stress and the unexpected twists. Those experiences are what shape us, and honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing.