‘Sands of Fortune’: Feature Film to Explore Saudi Arabia’s Aramco

Sands of Fortune, Passage Pictures new feature film, will highlight the discovery of oil in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the birth of oil giant Aramco. The historic drama will give a glimpse of the partnership between Max Steineke, an American geologist, and Bedouin Khamis Bin Rimthan. Both discovered Saudi Arabia’s first oil well (Dammam No. 7) in 1938. 

According to Aramoc, its beginnings goes to 1933 when a Concession Agreement was signed between Saudi Arabia and the Standard Oil Company of California (SOCAL); a subsidiary company, the California Arabian Standard Oil Company (CASOC), was created to manage the agreement. 

Film producer Uri Singer said the Aramco is a testament to human integrity and the incredible impact that a single discovery can have on the world. “This is a story that all Saudis know, but I believe the whole world will soon be as intrigued as I was when I first heard about this.”

Bernie Campball, a longtime strategist and speechwriter who has spent years living in Saudi Arabia and was the first American to write for the ruling royal family, has written the script. Singer met Campbell during a trip to the kingdom’s Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah in December 2022. 

The producer said they have been working together on the feature film for a while. “The film will feature a mix of Saudi and American talent on screen and Passage Pictures is in talks to partner with several local production companies on the project.” 

Also Read: Hollywood Celebs Get Candid About Their Addictions

While Sands of Fortune will shed light on Saudi Arabia’s oil industry, Hollywood has been captivated with the kingdom for decades. A number of blockbusters have been filmed in Saudi Arabia, including Human Cargo; A Hologram For The King; Journey to Mecca; and The Kingdom.