Tunisia -- Film Sets

The Hotel Sidi Driss in Matmata was used in 1976 as a filming location in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. It was featured as the home of Luke Skywalker, his Aunt Beru Lars and Uncle Owen Lars on the planet Tatooine. The hotel is designed as a traditional Berber troglodyte underground building. It was featured again in the 2002 prequel film Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. Other films have used this area for their sets as well.

 

 

Ksar Ouled Soltane in Tozeur was also featured in the film Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace in some of the scenes used to represent the slave quarters of Mos Espa, where the character Anakin Skywalker lived as a boy. It is now a tourist destination, with visitors coming to see its well-preserved granary vaults.

Tozeur was used as a filming location for Raiders of the Lost Ark (specifically Sidi Bouhlel canyon outside the town and the salt-flats of nearby Nefta). Our group decided to make its own film based on one of the scenes. Unfortunately, it is a bit too geriatric for most viewers.

The English Patient with Ralph Fiennes and Kristin Scott Thomas was also partially filmed outside Tozeur.

 People in this area are quite obsessed with Star Wars, but that is understandable since it is this remote area's claim to fame. This little display was an attempt to create a business featuring the film's characters. Unfortunately, it never got off the ground, but we checked it out anyway--and the amazing scenery all around it.

 

 

 

Resources

Hotel Sidi Driss -- https://www.uniqhotels.com/hotel-sidi-driss-star-wars/