Queen of the Desert (film): Difference between revisions
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* [[Michael Benaroya]]<ref name="b" /> |
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* [[Mark Burg]] |
* [[Mark Burg]] |
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* [[Cassian Elwes]]<ref name="a">{{cite web|title=Robert Pattinson Joining Naomi Watts in 'Queen of the Desert'|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/robert-pattinson-naomi-watts-queen-desert-361911|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|accessdate= |
* [[Cassian Elwes]]<ref name="a">{{cite web|title=Robert Pattinson Joining Naomi Watts in 'Queen of the Desert'|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/robert-pattinson-naomi-watts-queen-desert-361911|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|accessdate=December 2, 2013}}</ref> |
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* Nick N. Raslan<ref name="a" /> |
* Nick N. Raslan<ref name="a" /> |
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| distributor = Atlas Distribution Co. |
| distributor = Atlas Distribution Co. |
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| released = {{Film date|2015|02|06|[[65th Berlin International Film Festival|Berlin]]|2015|09|03|Germany |
| released = {{Film date|2015|02|06|[[65th Berlin International Film Festival|Berlin]]|2015|09|03|Germany}} |
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| runtime = 128 minutes |
| runtime = 128 minutes |
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| country = United States |
| country = United States |
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'''''Queen of the Desert''''' is a 2015 American [[Epic film|epic]] [[Biographical film|biographical]] [[drama film]] written and directed by [[Werner Herzog]] and is based on the life of British traveller, writer, archaeologist, explorer, cartographer and political officer [[Gertrude Bell]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Werner Herzog Wants to Crown Naomi Watts Queen of the Desert|url=http://www.vulture.com/2011/02/werner_herzog_wants_to_crown_n.html|publisher=vulture.com|accessdate= |
'''''Queen of the Desert''''' is a 2015 American [[Epic film|epic]] [[Biographical film|biographical]] [[drama film]] written and directed by [[Werner Herzog]] and is based on the life of British traveller, writer, archaeologist, explorer, cartographer and political officer [[Gertrude Bell]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Werner Herzog Wants to Crown Naomi Watts Queen of the Desert|url=http://www.vulture.com/2011/02/werner_herzog_wants_to_crown_n.html|publisher=vulture.com|accessdate=December 2, 2013}}</ref><ref name="AFM">{{cite web|title=AFM 2012: Jude Law Joining Werner Herzog's 'Queen of the Desert'|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jude-law-joins-werner-herzogs-386153|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|accessdate=December 2, 2013}}</ref> The film follows Bell's life chronologically, from her early twenties till her death. It is Herzog's first feature film in six years after his 2009 film ''[[My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done?]]''. |
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The film stars [[Nicole Kidman]], [[James Franco]], [[Damian Lewis]] and [[Robert Pattinson]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Robert Pattinson Joins James Gray's 'Lost City Of Z' With Benedict Cumberbatch|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/robert-pattinson-joins-james-grays-lost-city-of-z-with-benedict-cumberbatch-20131106|publisher=blogs.indiewire|accessdate= |
The film stars [[Nicole Kidman]], [[James Franco]], [[Damian Lewis]] and [[Robert Pattinson]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Robert Pattinson Joins James Gray's 'Lost City Of Z' With Benedict Cumberbatch|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/robert-pattinson-joins-james-grays-lost-city-of-z-with-benedict-cumberbatch-20131106|publisher=blogs.indiewire|accessdate=December 2, 2013}}</ref> After going through many delays and casting problems, production finally took place from December 2013 to March 2014 in [[Morocco]], [[Jordan]] and [[England]]. It was screened in the main competition section of the [[65th Berlin International Film Festival]] and had its premiere on February 6, 2015.<ref name="Berlin">{{cite web |url=http://www.berlinale.de/en/presse/pressemitteilungen/wettbewerb/wettbewerb-presse-detail_26454.html |title=Jafar Panahi’s New Film in Competition |accessdate=January 14, 2015 |work=berlinale.de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.berlinale.de/en/programm/berlinale_programm/datenblatt.php?film_id=201510428#tab=video25 |title=Queen of the Desert |accessdate=January 28, 2015 |work=berlinale.de| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20150130175151/https://www.berlinale.de/en/programm/berlinale_programm/datenblatt.php?film_id=201510428| archivedate=January 30, 2015 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> It had a theatrical release in Germany on September 3, 2015.<ref name="release">{{cite web|url=http://www.filmstarts.de/kritiken/190187.html|title=Königin der Wüste|accessdate=September 1, 2015}}</ref> The film received mostly negative reviews from critics and was also a [[box office bomb|financial disappointment]], grossing $2 million against a $36 million production budget. |
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==Plot== |
==Plot== |
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{{expand plot|date=July 2016}} |
{{expand plot|date=July 2016}} |
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The film chronicles the events of [[Gertrude Bell]]'s life, a British explorer, traveller, archaeologist and political officer.<ref>{{cite web|title=Damian Lewis Set For Queen Of The Desert Werner Herzog's latest|url=http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=39119|publisher=empireonline.com|accessdate= |
The film chronicles the events of [[Gertrude Bell]]'s life, a British explorer, traveller, archaeologist and political officer.<ref>{{cite web|title=Damian Lewis Set For Queen Of The Desert Werner Herzog's latest|url=http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=39119|publisher=empireonline.com|accessdate=December 2, 2013}}</ref> |
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==Cast== |
==Cast== |
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* Michael Jenn as [[Reginald Campbell Thompson|R. Campbell Thompson]] |
* Michael Jenn as [[Reginald Campbell Thompson|R. Campbell Thompson]] |
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* [[Assaad Bouab]] as Sheikh |
* [[Assaad Bouab]] as Sheikh |
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* [[Jay Abdo]] as Fattouh, Bell's guide<ref>{{cite web|title=Hollywood Rising Stars: Jay Abdo|url=http://www.bevhillsmag.com/music-entertainment/hollywood-rising-stars-jay-abdo/|accessdate= |
* [[Jay Abdo]] as Fattouh, Bell's guide<ref>{{cite web|title=Hollywood Rising Stars: Jay Abdo|url=http://www.bevhillsmag.com/music-entertainment/hollywood-rising-stars-jay-abdo/|accessdate=December 2, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Representative of the Syrian revolution champion standing in front of Nicole Kidman|url=http://www.alquds.co.uk/?p=108588|accessdate=December 2, 2013}}</ref> |
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* [[David Calder (actor)|David Calder]] as [[Sir Hugh Bell, 2nd Baronet|Hugh Bell]] |
* [[David Calder (actor)|David Calder]] as [[Sir Hugh Bell, 2nd Baronet|Hugh Bell]] |
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* Nick Waring as [[Mark Sykes]] |
* Nick Waring as [[Mark Sykes]] |
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Talking about casting difficulties and delay in shooting of the film, Herzog said, "There are some actors I’d very much like to be in the film and it’s problematic to get them in the same place at the same time."<ref>{{cite web|title=Werner Herzog Meets Abel Ferrara And Talks Shop In Switzerland: 'I have done things I have never done before'|url=http://www.indiewire.com/article/werner-herzog-meets-abel-ferrara-and-talks-shop-in-switzerland|publisher=indiewire.com|accessdate= |
Talking about casting difficulties and delay in shooting of the film, Herzog said, "There are some actors I’d very much like to be in the film and it’s problematic to get them in the same place at the same time."<ref>{{cite web|title=Werner Herzog Meets Abel Ferrara And Talks Shop In Switzerland: 'I have done things I have never done before'|url=http://www.indiewire.com/article/werner-herzog-meets-abel-ferrara-and-talks-shop-in-switzerland|publisher=indiewire.com|accessdate=December 2, 2013}}</ref> [[Naomi Watts]] was originally cast in the role of [[Gertrude Bell]] but was later replaced by [[Nicole Kidman]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Naomi Watts Out, Nicole Kidman In For Werner Herzog’s Sweeping ‘Queen of the Desert|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/noami-watts-out-nicole-kidman-in-for-werner-herzogs-sweeping-queen-of-the-desert-20130908|publisher=blogs.indiewire.com|accessdate=December 2, 2013}}</ref> Kidman, talking about her role, said, "She's the female Lawrence of Arabia. She was English, and basically defined the borders between Iraq and Jordan that exist today, borders that she negotiated between Churchill and different Arab leaders. She went out to the desert with the Bedouin and all the different tribes that were feuding at the turn of the 20th century."<ref>{{cite web|title=Nicole Kidman: 'I try never to be governed by fear'|url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/dec/26/nicole-kidman-the-railway-man-true-story|publisher=theguardian|accessdate=December 28, 2013}}</ref> [[Jude Law]] was initially cast in the role of [[Henry Cadogan, Viscount Chelsea|Henry Cadogan]] but later dropped out due to scheduling conflicts and was replaced by [[James Franco]].<ref name="AFM" /><ref>{{cite web|title=James Franco Eyeing Werner Herzog’s Gertrude Bell Pic|url=http://www.deadline.com/2013/04/james-franco-eyeing-werner-herzogs-gertrude-bell-pic/|publisher=deadline.com|accessdate=December 2, 2013}}</ref> |
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[[Robert Pattinson]] and [[Damian Lewis]] joined the cast of the film as [[T. E. Lawrence]] and [[Charles Doughty-Wylie]], respectively.<ref name="b">{{cite web|title=‘Homeland’s Damian Lewis To Star With Nicole Kidman In ‘Queen Of The Desert’|url=http://www.deadline.com/2013/10/homelands-damian-lewis-to-star-with-nicole-kidman-in-queen-of-the-desert/|publisher=deadline.com|accessdate= |
[[Robert Pattinson]] and [[Damian Lewis]] joined the cast of the film as [[T. E. Lawrence]] and [[Charles Doughty-Wylie]], respectively.<ref name="b">{{cite web|title=‘Homeland’s Damian Lewis To Star With Nicole Kidman In ‘Queen Of The Desert’|url=http://www.deadline.com/2013/10/homelands-damian-lewis-to-star-with-nicole-kidman-in-queen-of-the-desert/|publisher=deadline.com|accessdate=December 2, 2013}}</ref><ref name="a" /><ref>{{cite web|title=James Franco Eyeing Werner Herzog’s Gertrude Bell Pic|url=http://variety.com/2012/film/news/robert-pattinson-attached-to-herzog-s-queen-1118057829/|publisher=variety.com|accessdate=December 2, 2013}}</ref> On casting Pattinson in the film, Herzog said that " I needed an englishman who still looks like a schoolboy but which is very smart. He plays Lawrence of Arabia, but at the age of 22, on an archeological site. Kidman, who plays the main role is wondering what that kid has to do in a place like this, and an archeologist tells her that this kid has a PhD."<ref name="Bande">{{cite web|title=WALKER – CONVERSATION WITH WERNER HERZOG|url=http://www.bande-a-part.fr/le-promeneur-conversation-avec-werner-herzog/|publisher=Bande à Part|accessdate=December 23, 2014}}</ref> Pattinson talking about portraying [[T. E. Lawrence]], said that "It’s sort of close to the real guy, it’s certainly not [the film] Lawrence of Arabia-like, at the same time the guy was really small and I’m not physically kind of right for the part, but I think I have quite a good little handle of who he is. After I got cast I started researching and there are certain things you can’t do as I’m just not physically the same so I had to invent it a little bit, and it’s a small part as well. The film’s about Gertrude Bell, it’s really not about making Lawrence of Arabia."<ref>{{cite web|title=Robert Pattinson interview: Twilight actor on new film Map to the Stars and 'having money for the first time'|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/interview-twilight-and-map-to-the-stars-actor-robert-pattinson-on-having-money-for-the-first-time-9757383.html|publisher=independent.co.uk|accessdate=September 26, 2014}}</ref> Nick N. Raslan, one of the producer of the film, also appeared the film in a [[cameo appearance]].<ref>{{cite web|title=PHOTO: Check out the Queen of the Desert producer with some furry co-stars|url=http://queenofthedesertfilm.com/2014/01/25/photo-check-queen-desert-producer-furry-co-stars/|accessdate=January 28, 2014}}</ref> |
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===Filming=== |
===Filming=== |
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[[File:Erg Chebbi.jpeg|thumb|160px|Scenes were filmed at [[Merzouga]], [[Morocco]].]] |
[[File:Erg Chebbi.jpeg|thumb|160px|Scenes were filmed at [[Merzouga]], [[Morocco]].]] |
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[[Principal photography]] began on December 20, 2013. Herzog shot background scenes and [[establishing shot]]s without the principal cast in [[Merzouga]], [[Morocco]] and [[Petra]], [[Jordan]].<ref>{{cite web|title=PIC: Werner Herzog Gets Busy In The Desert|url=http://queenofthedesertfilm.com/2013/12/20/pic-werner-herzog-gets-busy-desert/|accessdate= |
[[Principal photography]] began on December 20, 2013. Herzog shot background scenes and [[establishing shot]]s without the principal cast in [[Merzouga]], [[Morocco]] and [[Petra]], [[Jordan]].<ref>{{cite web|title=PIC: Werner Herzog Gets Busy In The Desert|url=http://queenofthedesertfilm.com/2013/12/20/pic-werner-herzog-gets-busy-desert/|accessdate=December 2, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title="QUEEN OF THE DESERT" LIGHTS, CAMERA IN MOROCCO|url=http://www.le360.ma/fr/culture/queen-of-the-desert-silence-on-tourne-au-maroc-7617|accessdate=December 2, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Werner Herzog began shooting the film "Queen of the Desert" in Morocco|url=http://www.lemag.ma/Werner-Herzog-debute-le-tournage-du-film-Queen-of-the-Desert-au-Maroc_a78982.html|publisher=lemag.ma|accessdate=December 28, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Fantastic NEW Pics From "Queen Of The Desert" Filming in Morocco|url=http://queenofthedesertfilm.com/2013/12/21/fantastic-new-pics-queen-desert-filming-morocco/|accessdate=December 2, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Robert Pattinson begins filming ‘Queen of the Desert’ in Morocco next month|url=http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2013/12/20/robert-pattinson-begins-filming-queen-of-the-desert-in-morocco-next-month/|accessdate=December 2, 2013}}</ref><ref name="z">{{cite web|title=Nicole Kidman depicting Queen of the Desert in Morocco and Jordan. The Syrian hero of the film |
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|url=http://www.almasryalyoum.com/node/2372626|publisher=almasryalyoum.com|accessdate= |
|url=http://www.almasryalyoum.com/node/2372626|publisher=almasryalyoum.com|accessdate=December 2, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Damian Lewis Visits the White House and Learns Obama Watches 'Homeland'|url=http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/damian-lewis-interview-2013-actor-watches-homeland-president-20888897|accessdate=December 2, 2013}}</ref> [[Principal photography]] with the main cast started in Merzouga on January 13, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=SET PHOTOS: ‘Queen of the Desert’ Movie Filming Day 1|url=http://queenofthedesertfilm.com/2014/01/13/set-photos-queen-desert-movie-filming-day-1/|accessdate=January 14 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=World of Locations: Morocco|url=http://www.screendaily.com/world-of-locations/world-of-locations-morocco/5079732.article|accessdate=January 14, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=ON THE SET FOR 1/13/14: UNIVERSAL’S ‘EVEREST’ STARTS WITH BALTASAR KORMAKUR DIRECTING|url=http://www.studiosystemnews.com/on-the-set-for-11314-universals-everest-starts-with-baltasar-kormakur-directing/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter|accessdate=January 14, 2014}}</ref> Filming also took place at [[Marrakesh]] and [[Erfoud]] and continued till February 26, 2014, in [[Ouarzazate]], Morocco.<ref name="lemga" /><ref>{{cite web|title=H FiLMS|url=https://www.facebook.com/hichajji/posts/10151998703998269?stream_ref=10|accessdate=February 27, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=H FiLMS|url=https://www.facebook.com/hfilmsmorocco/posts/632440796804981?stream_ref=10|accessdate=February 27, 2014}}</ref> After Morocco, filming moved to [[London]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Nick Raslan – Film Producer|url=https://twitter.com/NickRaslan/status/441319005325111227, 96|accessdate=March 5, 2014}}</ref> and finished on March 6, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=ON THE SET FOR 3/10/14: A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING, STARRING TOM HANKS, STARTS PRODUCTION|url=http://www.studiosystemnews.com/on-the-set-for-31014-a-hologram-for-the-king-starring-tom-hanks-starts-production/|accessdate=April 8, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=TheFilmStage|url=https://twitter.com/TheFilmStage/status/441690124007800832|accessdate=March 5, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Queen of the Desert producer says magic was created for the film with Werner Herzog and Nicole Kidman|url=http://queenofthedesertfilm.com/2014/03/06/tweet-queen-desert-producer-says-magic-created-film-werner-herzog-nicole-kidman/|accessdate=March 5, 2014}}</ref> |
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A major portion of filming took place in Morocco. Fifty actors (apart from main cast), more than 1,500 [[Extra (acting)|extras]] and 65 technicians, all Moroccan, participated.<ref name="lemga">{{cite web|title=Ouarzazate: The filming of 'Queen Of The Desert' ends|url=http://www.lemag.ma/Ouarzazate-Le-tournage-de-Queen-Of-The-Desert-prend-fin_a81140.html|accessdate= |
A major portion of filming took place in Morocco. Fifty actors (apart from main cast), more than 1,500 [[Extra (acting)|extras]] and 65 technicians, all Moroccan, participated.<ref name="lemga">{{cite web|title=Ouarzazate: The filming of 'Queen Of The Desert' ends|url=http://www.lemag.ma/Ouarzazate-Le-tournage-de-Queen-Of-The-Desert-prend-fin_a81140.html|accessdate=March 1, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Cinema in Morocco: 22 locations and 500 million dirhams in 6 months|url=http://www.bladi.net/maroc-tournages-films-budgets,39869.html|accessdate=July 8, 2014}}</ref> |
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==Releases== |
==Releases== |
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The film premiered at [[65th Berlin International Film Festival]] in February 2015.<ref name="Berlin" /> It had a theatrical released in Germany on |
The film premiered at [[65th Berlin International Film Festival]] in February 2015.<ref name="Berlin" /> It had a theatrical released in Germany on September 3, 2015.<ref name="release" /> A different cut of the film will be screened at [[AFI Fest]] in November 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.afi.com/two-more-galas-and-seven-special-screenings-added-to-afi-fest-2015/ |title=Two More Galas and Seven Special Screenings Added to AFI FEST 2015|accessdate=October 25, 2015 |work=blog.afi.com}}</ref> Atlas Distribution Co. acquired the US distribution rights of the film and planned to have a [[wide release]] in fall 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nicole-kidmans-queen-desert-nabbed-794887#sthash.AR7pp2YF.dpuf |title=Nicole Kidman's 'Queen of the Desert' Nabbed by Atlas Distribution |accessdate=May 12, 2015 |work=Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> |
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===Promotion and marketing=== |
===Promotion and marketing=== |
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An [[Trailer (promotion)|official trailer]] was released on June 13, 2015,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/watch-first-international-trailer-for-werner-herzogs-queen-of-the-desert-with-nicole-kidman-robert-pattinson-and-more-20150613|title=Watch: First International Trailer For Werner Herzog's 'Queen Of The Desert' With Nicole Kidman, Robert Pattinson, And More|accessdate= |
An [[Trailer (promotion)|official trailer]] was released on June 13, 2015,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/watch-first-international-trailer-for-werner-herzogs-queen-of-the-desert-with-nicole-kidman-robert-pattinson-and-more-20150613|title=Watch: First International Trailer For Werner Herzog's 'Queen Of The Desert' With Nicole Kidman, Robert Pattinson, And More|accessdate=June 13, 2015}}</ref> followed by a second trailer, released a month later.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/watch-epic-new-trailer-for-werner-herzogs-queen-of-the-desert-with-nicole-kidman-robert-pattinson-more-20150702|title=Watch: Epic New Trailer For Werner Herzog's 'Queen Of The Desert' With Nicole Kidman, Robert Pattinson, & More|accessdate=July 3, 2015}}</ref> |
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==Reception== |
==Reception== |
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===Critical response=== |
===Critical response=== |
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The film received mostly negative reviews from critics, but the performances of Kidman, Pattinson, and Lewis were praised. [[Review aggregator]] [[Rotten Tomatoes]] gives the film a score of 10% based on 30 reviews with a [[weighted average]] rating of 4.3/10 and the site's consensus: "''Queen of the Desert'' unites some undeniably talented professionals, but it's difficult to discern what drew them together -- or understand how its compelling real-life story became such a muddled mess."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/queen_of_the_desert/ | title=''Queen of the Desert'' | work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | publisher=[[Fandango Media]] | accessdate= |
The film received mostly negative reviews from critics, but the performances of Kidman, Pattinson, and Lewis were praised. [[Review aggregator]] [[Rotten Tomatoes]] gives the film a score of 10% based on 30 reviews with a [[weighted average]] rating of 4.3/10 and the site's consensus: "''Queen of the Desert'' unites some undeniably talented professionals, but it's difficult to discern what drew them together -- or understand how its compelling real-life story became such a muddled mess."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/queen_of_the_desert/ | title=''Queen of the Desert'' | work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | publisher=[[Fandango Media]] | accessdate=June 14, 2016}}</ref> The critical aggregator website [[Metacritic]] holds the film at a [[standard score|normalized score]] of 38 out of 100 based on 6 reviews.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/queen-of-the-desert| title=''Queen of the Desert'' | accessdate = May 20, 2015| work=[[Metacritic]] | publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]}}</ref> |
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Peter Bradshaw of ''[[The Guardian]]'' gave the film two out of five stars by saying that "Werner Herzog’s biopic of English adventurer Gertrude Bell is impeccably mounted, competently made, entirely respectable – and a bit of a plod" and praised Kidman and Pattinson that "she (Kidman) does a perfectly reasonable job with this difficult role and she is well cast" and "Pattinson carried off this (minor) role well enough."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/feb/06/queen-of-the-desert-film-review-berlin-nicole-kidman-werner-herzog|title=Berlin 2015: Queen of the Desert review – a towering Nicole Kidman goes there and back again|accessdate= |
Peter Bradshaw of ''[[The Guardian]]'' gave the film two out of five stars by saying that "Werner Herzog’s biopic of English adventurer Gertrude Bell is impeccably mounted, competently made, entirely respectable – and a bit of a plod" and praised Kidman and Pattinson that "she (Kidman) does a perfectly reasonable job with this difficult role and she is well cast" and "Pattinson carried off this (minor) role well enough."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/feb/06/queen-of-the-desert-film-review-berlin-nicole-kidman-werner-herzog|title=Berlin 2015: Queen of the Desert review – a towering Nicole Kidman goes there and back again|accessdate=February 7, 2015 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> Peter Debruge of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' called the film a "compelling but dramatically underpowered epic" and notes that "Kidman convincingly manages to play Bell as a delicate yet determined twentysomething, forging her way across untamed deserts, but still fragile enough to fall in love on two separate occasions."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://variety.com/2015/film/reviews/berlin-film-review-queen-of-the-desert-1201426352/|title=Berlin Film Review: ‘Queen of the Desert’|accessdate=February 8, 2015 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> |
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David Rooney of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' called it "A passionless trudge that lacks both sweep and psychological complexity", but ultimately praised Kidman and Pattinson that "(Pattinson has) brief but significant appearances" and "she (Kidman) carries the film more than competently."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/nicole-kidman-werner-herzogs-queen-770806|title='Queen of the Desert': Berlin Review|accessdate= |
David Rooney of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' called it "A passionless trudge that lacks both sweep and psychological complexity", but ultimately praised Kidman and Pattinson that "(Pattinson has) brief but significant appearances" and "she (Kidman) carries the film more than competently."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/nicole-kidman-werner-herzogs-queen-770806|title='Queen of the Desert': Berlin Review|accessdate=February 7, 2015 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> Jessica Kiang of ''[[Indiewire]]'' in her review said that ""Queen of the Desert" is such a disappointment when you consider the wild portraits of pioneers that Herzog has given us before, that he's so reverent here." And praising the cast added that "(Pattinson, out all) of the actors not overwhelmed by the heavy sense" and "(Lewis) who handles the role of the married consul, whose amused admiration for Bell flares into love with a deftness that had us palpably relaxing during his scenes."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/berlin-review-werner-herzogs-queen-of-the-desert-starring-nicole-kidman-james-franco-robert-pattinson-and-more-20150206|title=Berlin Review: Werner Herzog's 'Queen Of The Desert' Starring Nicole Kidman, James Franco, Robert Pattinson, And More|accessdate=February 7, 2015 |work=[[Indiewire]]}}</ref> |
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Mark Adams of ''[[Screen International]]'' gave the film a mixed review, as he notes that "While enjoyable in parts, its episodic pacing lets down the real-life story of a bold and remarkable woman."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.screendaily.com/reviews/the-latest/queen-of-the-desert/5082858.article?referrer=RSS|title=Queen Of The Desert|accessdate= |
Mark Adams of ''[[Screen International]]'' gave the film a mixed review, as he notes that "While enjoyable in parts, its episodic pacing lets down the real-life story of a bold and remarkable woman."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.screendaily.com/reviews/the-latest/queen-of-the-desert/5082858.article?referrer=RSS|title=Queen Of The Desert|accessdate=February 7, 2015 |work=[[Screen International]]}}</ref> Geoffrey Macnab of ''[[The Independent]]'' said that "This is the closest Herzog has come to making a conventional Hollywood movie – what it lacks is the perversity, drive and wildness that are usually his hallmark."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/queen-of-the-desert-review-werner-herzogs-film-is-like-a-feminist-lawrence-of-arabia-10029753.html|title=Queen Of The Desert, review: Werner Herzog's film is like a feminist Lawrence of Arabia|accessdate=February 7, 2015 |work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> |
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===Accolades=== |
===Accolades=== |
Revision as of 08:15, 23 July 2016
Queen of the Desert | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Werner Herzog |
Screenplay by | Werner Herzog |
Produced by |
|
Starring | |
Cinematography | Peter Zeitlinger |
Edited by | Joe Bini |
Music by | Klaus Badelt[3] |
Distributed by | Atlas Distribution Co. |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 128 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $36 million[4] |
Box office | $2 million[5] |
Queen of the Desert is a 2015 American epic biographical drama film written and directed by Werner Herzog and is based on the life of British traveller, writer, archaeologist, explorer, cartographer and political officer Gertrude Bell.[6][7] The film follows Bell's life chronologically, from her early twenties till her death. It is Herzog's first feature film in six years after his 2009 film My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done?.
The film stars Nicole Kidman, James Franco, Damian Lewis and Robert Pattinson.[8] After going through many delays and casting problems, production finally took place from December 2013 to March 2014 in Morocco, Jordan and England. It was screened in the main competition section of the 65th Berlin International Film Festival and had its premiere on February 6, 2015.[9][10] It had a theatrical release in Germany on September 3, 2015.[11] The film received mostly negative reviews from critics and was also a financial disappointment, grossing $2 million against a $36 million production budget.
Plot
![]() | This article needs an improved plot summary. (July 2016) |
The film chronicles the events of Gertrude Bell's life, a British explorer, traveller, archaeologist and political officer.[12]
Cast
- Nicole Kidman as Gertrude Bell
- James Franco as Henry Cadogan
- Damian Lewis as Charles Doughty-Wylie
- Robert Pattinson as T. E. Lawrence
- Christopher Fulford as Winston Churchill
- Mark Lewis Jones as Frank Lascelles
- Jenny Agutter as Florence Bell
- Holly Earl as Cousin Florence
- Beth Goddard as Aunt Lascelles
- Michael Jenn as R. Campbell Thompson
- Assaad Bouab as Sheikh
- Jay Abdo as Fattouh, Bell's guide[13][14]
- David Calder as Hugh Bell
- Nick Waring as Mark Sykes
- Sam Kanater as Dulaim
- Sophie Linfield as Judith Doughty-Wylie
- William Ellis as Earl of Chester
- John Wark as Arnold Runcie
- Younes Bouab as King Faycal
- Fehd Benchemsi as Ibrahim
- Ismael Kanater as Dulaim
- Anas Chrifi as Emir
Production
Casting
Talking about casting difficulties and delay in shooting of the film, Herzog said, "There are some actors I’d very much like to be in the film and it’s problematic to get them in the same place at the same time."[15] Naomi Watts was originally cast in the role of Gertrude Bell but was later replaced by Nicole Kidman.[16] Kidman, talking about her role, said, "She's the female Lawrence of Arabia. She was English, and basically defined the borders between Iraq and Jordan that exist today, borders that she negotiated between Churchill and different Arab leaders. She went out to the desert with the Bedouin and all the different tribes that were feuding at the turn of the 20th century."[17] Jude Law was initially cast in the role of Henry Cadogan but later dropped out due to scheduling conflicts and was replaced by James Franco.[7][18]
Robert Pattinson and Damian Lewis joined the cast of the film as T. E. Lawrence and Charles Doughty-Wylie, respectively.[1][2][19] On casting Pattinson in the film, Herzog said that " I needed an englishman who still looks like a schoolboy but which is very smart. He plays Lawrence of Arabia, but at the age of 22, on an archeological site. Kidman, who plays the main role is wondering what that kid has to do in a place like this, and an archeologist tells her that this kid has a PhD."[20] Pattinson talking about portraying T. E. Lawrence, said that "It’s sort of close to the real guy, it’s certainly not [the film] Lawrence of Arabia-like, at the same time the guy was really small and I’m not physically kind of right for the part, but I think I have quite a good little handle of who he is. After I got cast I started researching and there are certain things you can’t do as I’m just not physically the same so I had to invent it a little bit, and it’s a small part as well. The film’s about Gertrude Bell, it’s really not about making Lawrence of Arabia."[21] Nick N. Raslan, one of the producer of the film, also appeared the film in a cameo appearance.[22]
Filming
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/Erg_Chebbi.jpeg/160px-Erg_Chebbi.jpeg)
Principal photography began on December 20, 2013. Herzog shot background scenes and establishing shots without the principal cast in Merzouga, Morocco and Petra, Jordan.[23][24][25][26][27][28][29] Principal photography with the main cast started in Merzouga on January 13, 2014.[30][31][32] Filming also took place at Marrakesh and Erfoud and continued till February 26, 2014, in Ouarzazate, Morocco.[33][34][35] After Morocco, filming moved to London[36] and finished on March 6, 2014.[37][38][39]
A major portion of filming took place in Morocco. Fifty actors (apart from main cast), more than 1,500 extras and 65 technicians, all Moroccan, participated.[33][40]
Releases
The film premiered at 65th Berlin International Film Festival in February 2015.[9] It had a theatrical released in Germany on September 3, 2015.[11] A different cut of the film will be screened at AFI Fest in November 2015.[41] Atlas Distribution Co. acquired the US distribution rights of the film and planned to have a wide release in fall 2015.[42]
Promotion and marketing
An official trailer was released on June 13, 2015,[43] followed by a second trailer, released a month later.[44]
Reception
Critical response
The film received mostly negative reviews from critics, but the performances of Kidman, Pattinson, and Lewis were praised. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of 10% based on 30 reviews with a weighted average rating of 4.3/10 and the site's consensus: "Queen of the Desert unites some undeniably talented professionals, but it's difficult to discern what drew them together -- or understand how its compelling real-life story became such a muddled mess."[45] The critical aggregator website Metacritic holds the film at a normalized score of 38 out of 100 based on 6 reviews.[46]
Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian gave the film two out of five stars by saying that "Werner Herzog’s biopic of English adventurer Gertrude Bell is impeccably mounted, competently made, entirely respectable – and a bit of a plod" and praised Kidman and Pattinson that "she (Kidman) does a perfectly reasonable job with this difficult role and she is well cast" and "Pattinson carried off this (minor) role well enough."[47] Peter Debruge of Variety called the film a "compelling but dramatically underpowered epic" and notes that "Kidman convincingly manages to play Bell as a delicate yet determined twentysomething, forging her way across untamed deserts, but still fragile enough to fall in love on two separate occasions."[48]
David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter called it "A passionless trudge that lacks both sweep and psychological complexity", but ultimately praised Kidman and Pattinson that "(Pattinson has) brief but significant appearances" and "she (Kidman) carries the film more than competently."[49] Jessica Kiang of Indiewire in her review said that ""Queen of the Desert" is such a disappointment when you consider the wild portraits of pioneers that Herzog has given us before, that he's so reverent here." And praising the cast added that "(Pattinson, out all) of the actors not overwhelmed by the heavy sense" and "(Lewis) who handles the role of the married consul, whose amused admiration for Bell flares into love with a deftness that had us palpably relaxing during his scenes."[50]
Mark Adams of Screen International gave the film a mixed review, as he notes that "While enjoyable in parts, its episodic pacing lets down the real-life story of a bold and remarkable woman."[51] Geoffrey Macnab of The Independent said that "This is the closest Herzog has come to making a conventional Hollywood movie – what it lacks is the perversity, drive and wildness that are usually his hallmark."[52]
Accolades
Year | Group/Award | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | Berlin International Film Festival | Golden Bear | Werner Herzog | Nominated | [9] |
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "'Homeland's Damian Lewis To Star With Nicole Kidman In 'Queen Of The Desert'". deadline.com. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Robert Pattinson Joining Naomi Watts in 'Queen of the Desert'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
- ^ "Klaus Badelt to Score Werner Herzog's 'Queen of the Desert'". Film Music Reporter. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
- ^ "Kidman's life feeds her roles". au.news.yahoo. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
- ^ "Queen of the Desert (2016)". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- ^ "Werner Herzog Wants to Crown Naomi Watts Queen of the Desert". vulture.com. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
- ^ a b "AFM 2012: Jude Law Joining Werner Herzog's 'Queen of the Desert'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
- ^ "Robert Pattinson Joins James Gray's 'Lost City Of Z' With Benedict Cumberbatch". blogs.indiewire. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Jafar Panahi's New Film in Competition". berlinale.de. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
- ^ "Queen of the Desert". berlinale.de. Archived from the original on January 30, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
{{cite web}}
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ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Königin der Wüste". Retrieved September 1, 2015.
- ^ "Damian Lewis Set For Queen Of The Desert Werner Herzog's latest". empireonline.com. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
- ^ "Hollywood Rising Stars: Jay Abdo". Retrieved December 2, 2013.
- ^ "Representative of the Syrian revolution champion standing in front of Nicole Kidman". Retrieved December 2, 2013.
- ^ "Werner Herzog Meets Abel Ferrara And Talks Shop In Switzerland: 'I have done things I have never done before'". indiewire.com. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
- ^ "Naomi Watts Out, Nicole Kidman In For Werner Herzog's Sweeping 'Queen of the Desert". blogs.indiewire.com. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
- ^ "Nicole Kidman: 'I try never to be governed by fear'". theguardian. Retrieved December 28, 2013.
- ^ "James Franco Eyeing Werner Herzog's Gertrude Bell Pic". deadline.com. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
- ^ "James Franco Eyeing Werner Herzog's Gertrude Bell Pic". variety.com. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
- ^ "WALKER – CONVERSATION WITH WERNER HERZOG". Bande à Part. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
- ^ "Robert Pattinson interview: Twilight actor on new film Map to the Stars and 'having money for the first time'". independent.co.uk. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
- ^ "PHOTO: Check out the Queen of the Desert producer with some furry co-stars". Retrieved January 28, 2014.
- ^ "PIC: Werner Herzog Gets Busy In The Desert". Retrieved December 2, 2013.
- ^ ""QUEEN OF THE DESERT" LIGHTS, CAMERA IN MOROCCO". Retrieved December 2, 2013.
- ^ "Werner Herzog began shooting the film "Queen of the Desert" in Morocco". lemag.ma. Retrieved December 28, 2013.
- ^ "Fantastic NEW Pics From "Queen Of The Desert" Filming in Morocco". Retrieved December 2, 2013.
- ^ "Robert Pattinson begins filming 'Queen of the Desert' in Morocco next month". Retrieved December 2, 2013.
- ^ "Nicole Kidman depicting Queen of the Desert in Morocco and Jordan. The Syrian hero of the film". almasryalyoum.com. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
- ^ "Damian Lewis Visits the White House and Learns Obama Watches 'Homeland'". Retrieved December 2, 2013.
- ^ "SET PHOTOS: 'Queen of the Desert' Movie Filming Day 1". Retrieved January 14 2014.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ "World of Locations: Morocco". Retrieved January 14, 2014.
- ^ "ON THE SET FOR 1/13/14: UNIVERSAL'S 'EVEREST' STARTS WITH BALTASAR KORMAKUR DIRECTING". Retrieved January 14, 2014.
- ^ a b "Ouarzazate: The filming of 'Queen Of The Desert' ends". Retrieved March 1, 2014.
- ^ "H FiLMS". Retrieved February 27, 2014.
- ^ "H FiLMS". Retrieved February 27, 2014.
- ^ 96 "Nick Raslan – Film Producer". Retrieved March 5, 2014.
{{cite web}}
: Check|url=
value (help) - ^ "ON THE SET FOR 3/10/14: A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING, STARRING TOM HANKS, STARTS PRODUCTION". Retrieved April 8, 2014.
- ^ "TheFilmStage". Retrieved March 5, 2014.
- ^ "Queen of the Desert producer says magic was created for the film with Werner Herzog and Nicole Kidman". Retrieved March 5, 2014.
- ^ "Cinema in Morocco: 22 locations and 500 million dirhams in 6 months". Retrieved July 8, 2014.
- ^ "Two More Galas and Seven Special Screenings Added to AFI FEST 2015". blog.afi.com. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
- ^ "Nicole Kidman's 'Queen of the Desert' Nabbed by Atlas Distribution". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
- ^ "Watch: First International Trailer For Werner Herzog's 'Queen Of The Desert' With Nicole Kidman, Robert Pattinson, And More". Retrieved June 13, 2015.
- ^ "Watch: Epic New Trailer For Werner Herzog's 'Queen Of The Desert' With Nicole Kidman, Robert Pattinson, & More". Retrieved July 3, 2015.
- ^ "Queen of the Desert". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
- ^ "Queen of the Desert". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
- ^ "Berlin 2015: Queen of the Desert review – a towering Nicole Kidman goes there and back again". The Guardian. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
- ^ "Berlin Film Review: 'Queen of the Desert'". Variety. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
- ^ "'Queen of the Desert': Berlin Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
- ^ "Berlin Review: Werner Herzog's 'Queen Of The Desert' Starring Nicole Kidman, James Franco, Robert Pattinson, And More". Indiewire. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
- ^ "Queen Of The Desert". Screen International. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
- ^ "Queen Of The Desert, review: Werner Herzog's film is like a feminist Lawrence of Arabia". The Independent. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
External links
- 2015 films
- American films
- English-language films
- 2010s adventure films
- 2010s drama films
- 2010s biographical films
- American biographical films
- American adventure drama films
- American epic films
- Biographical films about writers
- Films directed by Werner Herzog
- Films set in Jordan
- Films set in London
- Films set in Morocco
- Films shot in Jordan
- Films shot in London
- Films shot in Morocco