HogNose Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Hey TK........if this is on your bucket list you better hurry up. (CNN) -- Deep in Tunisia's Sahara desert is an abandoned settlement, part submerged by the sand, somehow alien, yet strangely familiar. The surrounding landscape looks like it's from another world, in a galaxy far, far away -- which is why movie director George Lucas chose it as a location for filming parts of his blockbuster "Star Wars" series. The Tunisian Sahara was transformed into Tatooine -- the barren planet with twin suns that was the birthplace of Anakin Skywalker, otherwise known as Darth Vader. At the Tunisian government's request, the lavish set for Anakin's home town, Mos Espa, remains intact -- a beacon in the desert. Read more: Stargazing in the desert The set of 20 buildings, situated northwest of the city of Tozeur, covers an area of around 10,000 square meters and remains a pilgrimage destination for avid "Star Wars" fans from around the world. Former rally driver Tahar Karya is an expert at tackling the Sahara's sand dunes in his four-by-four. He was George Lucas's personal driver during the filming in Tunisia and has a personal attachment to the set. He believes that Lucas's decision to use the area in his film was a great boon for the region. "More than 1,500 background actors were employed. Agencies and hotels also benefited," he says. "Over a period of two-and-a-half months, (Lucas) brought activities to the region and beneficial economic activity. We hope he comes back here again." The crew faced difficulties dealing with the weather in the Sahara. Temperatures reached 135 degrees Fahrenheit (57 C) during filming, then production was slowed by a rare summer rainstorm. Still, facing scheduling and budget constraints, Lucas was able to get the scenes he needed, which appear in "Star Wars" movies "The Phantom Menace" and "Attack of the Clones." But for those who want to experience this important piece of film history, time is running out. Although the set has withstood the elements for more than a decade, the desert's sand dunes are moving to engulf the fictional town. "Ever since they finished the part of the movie shot in 2003, sand dunes have surrounded the film set from every side. They should not have allowed this to happen," says Tahar. A team of scientists has tracked the movement of a large sand dune, which has already started to cover the set. it is moving at a rate of 4 cm per day and It won't be long before this alien town is buried beneath the sand. Like any desert Oasis, this one too will soon disappear. continued at link.... http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/18/travel/star-wars-visit-taooine-sahara/index.html?sr=fb101813starwarssink1p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major Harris Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Luke was not born on tatooine, whole article is bunk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LD0506 Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Luke was not born on tatooine, whole article is bunk. "Bunk" gave it away.............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchogs Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Luke was not born on tatooine, whole article is bunk. It says anakin not Luke... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popeman38 Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 I liked the part where it said scientists were tracking a large dune. Made it seem like the dune is up to no good. Which, if you are a Star Wars fan, I suppose it isn't! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nonniey Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 "Bunk" gave it away.............. What I read said Anakin was born there. Luke wasn't mentioned (Attention to details Major, Attention to details). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autoidiodyssey Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 So this was the set used in "The Phanton Menace". Wouldn't most Star Wars fans like to see anything involving that movie swallowed by the desert? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major Harris Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Dammit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoony Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Majors nerd got out nerded Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkabong82 Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 So this was the set used in "The Phanton Menace". Wouldn't most Star Wars fans like to see anything involving that movie swallowed by the desert? Hopefully it will soon share the same fate as all those copies of ET for Atari. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zguy28 Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Hopefully it will soon share the same fate as all those copies of ET for Atari. I loved that game as a 10 year old. It was not as good as Bruce Lee for the C64 though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjfootballer Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 I read Dune. It was boring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaGoonie55 Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 In 10,000 years, achaeologists will think the Tunisians were "significantly advanced" and wonder at the river that existed in the vast desert which is just actually drool from all the Lucas fans. Me included. WHY have I not heard of this place sooner? Man, I'd love to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 There's a scene in one of Arthur Clarke's 2001 books (I think it's 2063, but not certain), where one of his characters is making a point about how scientists can Get Things Wrong. And the example he used referred to the famous archaeologist who found some abandoned movie props in the Tunisian desert, and concluded that ancient man had been contacted by a technologically advanced race. Ever since I read those lines, I've had this mental image of the stereotypical archeologist: Khaki clothes, bushy mustache, White helmet, monocle. Holding up this small gear and saying "Look, sir! Droids!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d0ublestr0ker0ll Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Hogwash, I only see one sun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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