Important Notice:
Images or diagrams found on this webpage portraying buildings or structures of a permanent or semi-permanent nature such as film sets, film stages and/or filming locations are portrayed as sample images only. Unless the contrary is specifically stated, these images are not intended to convey either that Desert Star has constructed these structures or that it is the owner of such structures. These images are used in terms of fair dealing guidelines and no claim is hereby laid to the creation or ownership of such structures.
Desert Star will erect the world’s largest collection of re-usable permanent film sets, positioned throughout Namibia at 10 unique locations. Positioned strategically within a 15km radius around the Desert Star South basin, these locations will be designed in collaboration with producers and art directors for adaptability, ensuring period accuracy and detail. These epic, full-scale sets can be easily customized to accommodate a variety of historical sagas.
The primary objective of the Desert Star strategy is to expertly service the production requirements of international filmmakers by combining the arresting beauty of Namibia with an unrivalled collection first century film sets which can be found nowhere else in the world. The most distinctive advantage of our diverse range of permanent film sets is that they offer an exceptional cost saving on set construction and removal.
King Solomon 's Temple – destroyed in 70 AD, a mosque now stands on the Temple Mount, the location of the ‘first temple’, so any director requiring this location would be required to construct a replica. This magnificent structure that could host up to 250,000 people will be one of the key permanent sets to be built at Desert Star and will be reused time and time again.
The City of Jerusalem, 1st century AD – due to ongoing political turmoil, it is almost impossible to film in Jerusalem itself. Furthermore, much of the original city has been destroyed or altered. Constructing the original city, or parts of it will attract filmmakers who need to recreate older periods within the city.
Bethany, 1st century AD – this small village on the south-eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, less than two miles from Jerusalem, has great Biblical and historical significance as the place where John the Baptist preached and being the site of the tomb of the Biblical Lazarus. A reconstruction of this site would provide filmmakers with an opportunity to recreate countless Biblical stories.
The Palace of Herod – this is the second most important building in Jerusalem after the King Solomon’s Temple and will enable filmmakers to access yet another significant set.
The Roman Fortress of Antonia – destroyed in 70 AD, this fortress housed some of the Roman garrison of Jerusalem and it is also the site where Romans stored the high priest's vestments.
Wild West Cowboy Town – a period town, complete with saloons and sheriff's offices, this set will be constructed to scale for the filming of period film pieces set during the 1800s in the renowned wild west of the United States.
Future sets include: the Greek-Roman harbor town Caesarea, a river fortress City; Roman emperor Hadrian's villa; the ancient city of Ephesus; the Roman town of Pompeii; and a tropical rain forest on the Orange River!
The Desert Star collection of permanent film sets will present a unique and exciting adventure for tourists visiting Namibia. Tours to the sets will be on offer during periods where no filming on set is taking place. For the purpose of these tours, film sets will be ‘live’ complete with Roman soldiers in their full regalia; donkeys, sheep and horses and even tour guides who will be clothed as inhabitants of the set.
Through combining innovation with the latest sustainable methodologies, Desert Star will ensure that a low waste filming environment is created. From film production to set construction, all aspects of the filming process will be governed by our sustainability policy. Our collection of permanent film sets, which will be designed to be re-used for film shoots, will serve as a key point of entertainment for tourists, as well as a training ground for the education of learners from our Film Academy. Desert Star hereby aims to prove that what is traditionally considered an exceptionally wasteful industry, is indeed able to embrace energy efficient, waste conscious practices.
