Comprehension: Morocco's Movie 'Mecca' Seeks Return to Days of Glory

Ouarzazate in southern Morocco was once dubbed the "Mecca" of the film industry for its studio facilities and the stark beauty of its locations, with many Hollywood blockbusters shot there. 

Watch the video and answer the questions below.  Decide if the statements are True or False.

1.There has been less work for Atlas Studio since 2009.
a. True
b. False

2.The Arab Spring is one of the reasons given for the reduction of work.
a. True
b. False

3. There still hasn’t been much interest from movie makers in filming in Ouarzazate.
a. True
b. False

For transcript and answers see below.

Transcript and Answers:

It's all quiet on set. Actors, make-up artists and stagehands are preparing for the next scene.
Atlas studio in the southern Moroccan city of Ouarzazate may look all too familiar. 
It’s in these stunning desert landscapes that a raft of movie blockbusters such as "Laurence of Arabia", "Gladiator" and "Babel" were filmed. 
But in recent years, fewer and fewer production companies have come calling, leaving film crews and extras with little to do. 
" From 1986 until 2009, cinema production was very present here in Ouarzazate but from 2009 until 2012 there has been very little work for us."
The global economic crisis put many projects on hold and the turmoil of the Arab Spring across the region pushed international film-makers to look elsewhere. 
Many of the sets remain, visited by tourists and maintained by locals as a sort of museum of movie-making.
"We took responsibility for the sets on this plateau about 16 to 18 years ago. We have two site keepers a day and one for the evening, and we are able to pay their salaries when a new film production arrives to use this place."
Many film backdrops are real-life places; historical sites or homes that are unique to the area. 
Production companies negotiate with local leaders to shoot there, bringing in much-needed income for villagers. 
"A big production company came here to film, they partially restored the places that they were interested in, paying the village 500 or 600 hundred euros."
The cash flow has been cut back to just a trickle but locals are still hopeful that Ouarzazate can attract big-budget movies once again. Several major productions have visited since the beginning of the year.
There are already four films in production here and a starring role for this city would mean jobs for hundreds of people. 

Answers:
1. a
2. a
3. b

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