Take a 3D Magic Carpet Ride Through Arabia

LONDON, May 13, 2010 - Just like an exhilarating ride on a mythical magic carpet, Arabia 3D is a
visual feast of amazing real-life 3D effects and stunning IMAX(R) 3D imagery,
that will take the audience's breath away.

The première takes place at the BFI IMAX in London's South Bank on Monday
24th May in the presence of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, royalty
from the Middle East region, as well as Heads of State and VIP guests from
the world of film, music, art and industry. All will see the first ever IMAX
film about the culture and history of the Arabian Peninsula.

This visually extraordinary film takes its audience on a trip through
time to a land cloaked in myth and mystery. The film travels over deserts,
past ancient monuments, through the ruins of towering lost cities, hitches a
ride on a camel caravan, swoops through a Bedouin tent and even plunges into
the violet hues of the Red Sea, to mingle with silvery fish darting through
technicolour coral reefs and all in amazing IMAX 3D. Expert guides present
differing aspects of everyday life and the history behind the desert land -
Hamzah Jamjoom, a passionate young Saudi film student who studied in the US
at the DePaul University, Chicago. Nimah Nawwab a Saudi female activist,
youth leader, writer, poet, photographer and lecturer who has been dubbed
'the voice of Arab women'. Finally, leading Arabian archaeologist, Dr
Dhaifallah Al-Talhi reveals the rich past of Arabia, from the mysterious
Nabataean culture to the golden age of Islam. The visual effects and
narration of the film takes the audience on a time travel journey through
2000 years of history, from Arabia's ancient past through to modern day,
using the very latest IMAX 3D CGI.

However, if the visual effects don't stun then the famous
names linked to this production will. Academy Award(R) winner Dame Helen
Mirren narrated parts of the film, twice Academy Award nominated Greg
MacGillivray (for Dolphins and The Living Sea) of MacGillivray Freeman Films
produced and directed it and distinguished author, historian and Middle
Eastern expert Robert Lacey acted as consultant. Even the music has a
pedigree to rival an Arabian stallion, with Steve Wood (who's worked with
Sting and George Harrison) composing the music and Yusef Islam (previously
known as Cat Stevens) allowing his song 'Beloved' sung by Youssou N'dour, to
be used on the film soundtrack.

Greg MacGillivray, who has previously taken his cameras up Everest and to
the bottom of the Grand Canyon, explains one of the reasons he chose to make
the film. 'I hope people will be moved by a fresh portrait of a culture based
on strong family ties, education and deep faith - and a people struggling to
find a balance between staying true to their valued traditions and finding
their own modern way of life.'

Arabia 3D is the first major production to be filmed entirely in Saudi
Arabia. The filmmakers were granted access to over 20 sites, including Madain
Saleh, inside the Grand Mosque and were even inMakkah (Mecca) to film the
largest human gathering on the planet, the annual Hajj, where 3 million
Muslim's gather to reaffirm their faith. This film is an unprecedented trip
inside Arabia that aims to show the world what life is really like inside
what is a very private Kingdom.

Robert Lacey, an author, journalist and historian who has lived in Arabia
and worked as a consultant on the film, eloquently sums it up. 'It evokes all
the extraordinary colours and textures of Arabia, of being surrounded by
history but at the same time amid a palpable sense of change. 3D does
particular justice to it because you get the sense of a vast landscapes and a
vivid knock-out picture of a proud, rooted culture in both its spiritual and
practical dimensions.'

But it is perhaps the young filmmaker Hamzah Jamjoom who explains the mix
of modern film technology and ancient Arabian culture and what he feels it
signifies for the future. 'I think Arabia is entering a new golden age with a
youthful generation of scientists, thinkers, and innovators who will ensure
Arabia fulfils its potential. I hope this film becomes a catalyst for
continued debate, greater insight and understanding.'

Greg Wixted: gwixted at madison-uk.com +44-(0)7753-930936