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Kanye West is reportedly scouting locations and funds for his next film project – in the Middle East.
A film industry source told the UAE’s National newspaper that the hip-hop superstar sent representatives to Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha last month in preparation for a project set to begin in March.
The film is touted to be a similar format to “Runaway,” West’s 2010 34-minute extravaganza released to accompany My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.
“His team were hesitant to compare it directly to “Runaway” because the girl in it is dressed quite provocatively,” said the source. “But from what they told us, it’s going to be in the same vein.”
West, who performed at Abu Dhabi’s F1 in 2010 and played Dubai in 2007, reportedly wants to remain culturally sensitive and avoid a stereotyped view of the region.
To do so, West is apparently looking to work with local actors. “It’s their goal to use as much local talent and as much local crew as possible when they’re here.”
This collaborative approach also stretches to financing the project, which West is apparently hoping to share with a regional partner. “The way they pitched it would be for whichever territory they end up producing it in to completely fund it.”
The news comes just a few days after the release of pop star MIA’s latest video “Bad Girls,” depicts dancers in traditional Gulf dress performing daredevil car tricks popular among Saudi Arabian and Emirati youth.
Filmed in Morocco, “Bad Girls” has divided critics by presenting what some see as an exoticized view of the region. Others point out that in revealing a largely-unseen subculture, the video subverts traditional images of the Gulf.
British-Tamil MIA is well known for controversial lyrics and political statements, and this is unlikely to be the last time she offends.
It remains to be seen whether West’s future film will be as divisive, or as successful. Kanye West’s last trip to the UAE to perform at a private party with fellow rapper Jay-Z, earned the pair a cool $6 million.
