'Black Gold' tops Arab B.O.

DUBAI -- Jean-Jacques Annaud's Arabian epic "Black Gold" is showing to become hit within the center East and Arab world since the pic is well around the right course to making greater than $millions of theatrically in the region. Pic, which toplines Tahar Rahim, Antonio Banderas, Mark Strong and Freida Pinto, is tied for that primary slot in the region with Adam Sandler comedy "Jack and Jill." Its box office sits around $700,000 and, after holding well, is predicted to feed the $millions of mark a couple of days ago. Co-produced by Tarak Ben Ammar's Quinta Communications as well as the Doha Film Institute, pic has offered out tickets in lots of areas in the region for example the united states . Arab Emirates and Qatar. Pic, which has accomplished good results in the large marketing push in Middle East and Arab areas, remains recognized with a lot of Arab filmgoers, showing the storyline in regards to the competition of two youthful emirs in the backdrop of 19 thirties Arab states within the peak in the oil boom, has resonated with local auds. Warner Bros. is delivering the pic through Shooting Stars, its sub-distrib in the region, which handles all WB photos. Pic bowed in Gaul on November. 23 Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Syria on November. 24 and Tunisia on November. 25. It opened up up in Lebanon, Oman, UAE and Qatar (following its March. 25 preem at Doha Tribeca Film Festival) on 12 ,. 1. In Tunisia, where part of the pic was shot, it's totalled greater than 30,000 admissions, an activity within this small territory. Quinta is at advanced discussions getting a U.S. buyer. A comment is predicted being made just before the conclusion of year. Quinta's Novelty helmet Pictures is disseminating the pic in Italia on 12 ,. 23. WB is delivering the pic in Latin America and Blighty inside the first quarter of 2012 while Universal is delivering it in the united states on Jan. 20 and Germany on Feb. 9. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com