Morocco is emerging as the primary filming hub for the biblical epic The Old Stories: Moses, led by Oscar-winning actor Ben Kingsley. According to information released by the production team, a significant portion of the series was shot in Ouarzazate.
Long nicknamed the “Hollywood of the Desert,” the city serves as the backbone of the project. Production crews made extensive use of Atlas Studios, which already host large-scale sets of Egyptian palaces and temples inherited from major productions such as Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven.
The team also constructed new monumental sets, including sections of the Pharaoh’s palace and areas representing the quarters of Israelite workers. Morocco’s desert landscapes, with their vast arid expanses and natural light, made it possible to recreate the aesthetic of ancient Egypt. Some scenes intended to take place along the Nile were filmed in local oases, further enhancing the visual illusion.
An International Production Strategy
While Morocco forms the foundation of the shoot, the series follows a globally distributed production model. Scenes depicting Moses’ exile were filmed in the Wadi Rum desert in southern Jordan, while the dramatic sequences of the Red Sea crossing were produced in the technical water tanks of Malta Film Studios, located in Kalkara on Malta’s eastern coast.
Additional footage was also captured in the Almería region, a port city in Andalusia in southeastern Spain, as well as in London studios, allowing for greater control over interior scenes and visual effects.
Morocco as a Strategic Choice
Choosing Morocco over Egypt—despite Egypt’s central role in the narrative—reflects a combination of structural advantages within the film industry. Existing infrastructure, particularly the permanent sets at Atlas Studios, significantly reduces both production costs and timelines.
This is complemented by the diversity of desert landscapes, their logistical accessibility, and competitive incentive schemes, both fiscally and administratively. Moreover, Morocco benefits from visual continuity already established by numerous international productions, reinforcing its status as a leading aesthetic reference for large-scale historical and biblical epics.
