4.3
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
Black Gold (2011)
Black Gold (2011)
Overview
On the Arabian Peninsula in the 1930s, two warring leaders come face to face. The victorious Nesib, Emir of Hobeika, lays down his peace terms to rival Amar, Sultan of Salmaah. The two men agree that neither can lay claim to the area of no man’s land between them called The Yellow Belt. In return, Nesib adopts Amar’s two boys Saleeh and Auda as a guarantee against invasion. Twelve years later, Saleeh and Auda have grown into young men. Saleeh, the warrior, itches to escape his gilded cage and return to his father’s land. Auda cares only for books and the pursuit of knowledge. One day, their adopted father Nesib is visited by an American from Texas. He tells the Emir that his land is blessed with oil and promises him riches beyond his wildest imagination. Nesib imagines a realm of infinite possibility, a kingdom with roads, schools and hospitals all paid for by the black gold beneath the barren sand. There is only one problem. The precious oil is located in the Yellow Belt.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Rating & Dimensions
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Leans Progressive
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Race Swap: Yes
Islam: Positive
Viewer Rating
4.3
Overview
On the Arabian Peninsula in the 1930s, two warring leaders come face to face. The victorious Nesib, Emir of Hobeika, lays down his peace terms to rival Amar, Sultan of Salmaah. The two men agree that neither can lay claim to the area of no man’s land between them called The Yellow Belt. In return, Nesib adopts Amar’s two boys Saleeh and Auda as a guarantee against invasion. Twelve years later, Saleeh and Auda have grown into young men. Saleeh, the warrior, itches to escape his gilded cage and return to his father’s land. Auda cares only for books and the pursuit of knowledge. One day, their adopted father Nesib is visited by an American from Texas. He tells the Emir that his land is blessed with oil and promises him riches beyond his wildest imagination. Nesib imagines a realm of infinite possibility, a kingdom with roads, schools and hospitals all paid for by the black gold beneath the barren sand. There is only one problem. The precious oil is located in the Yellow Belt.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Detailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Leans Progressive
Primary
The film leans left due to its central critique of Western resource exploitation and the destructive impact of greed on traditional societies, aligning with anti-colonial and environmental themes within a broader historical narrative.
The movie features visible diversity in its cast, appropriate for its setting in the Arabian Peninsula, with a lead actor of color. Its narrative subtly explores themes of colonial influence and resource exploitation, offering an indirect critique of historical power dynamics without explicitly centering on DEI themes.
Secondary
The film depicts Arab characters, such as Emir Nesib and Sultan Amar, who are portrayed by European actors Antonio Banderas and Mark Strong, respectively. This constitutes a race swap for these established characters.
The film portrays Islam as the foundational cultural and moral framework for the characters and society. While characters face moral dilemmas and conflicts driven by greed and power, the narrative itself does not critique Islam. Instead, it often shows characters adhering to its principles, performing prayers, and referencing religious law, often positioning these traditions as a source of strength or moral guidance against the corrupting influence of oil wealth.
The film 'Black Gold, 2011' does not appear to feature any identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or themes. Its narrative centers on historical events, tribal conflicts, and a heterosexual love story in the Arabian Peninsula, resulting in no depiction of queer identity.
The film "Black Gold, 2011" does not feature any identifiable transsexual characters or themes. Its plot centers on historical drama, political rivalries, and the impact of oil discovery in the Arabian Peninsula, without incorporating any elements related to transsexual identity or experiences.
The film primarily focuses on male characters in a historical drama about war and oil discovery. No female characters are depicted engaging in direct physical combat or defeating male opponents through skill, strength, or martial arts.
The film "Black Gold" (2011) is an adaptation of Hans Ruesch's novel "The Great Thirst." A review of the main characters in both the novel and the film reveals no instances where a character's established gender from the source material was changed for the screen adaptation.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
6.6
6.5
Critic Ratings
1.1
3.2
More Like This
Progressive
7.1
Transamerica
(2005)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: High
LGBTQ: Positive
Progressive
6.6
The Secret Life of Bees
(2008)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: High
Leans Progressive
8.4
Spartacus
(1960)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Negative
Leans Progressive
7.6
King Kong
(2005)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Leans Progressive
6.8
Free Willy
(1993)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: Moderate
Leans Progressive
6.7
The Lion King II: Simba's Pride
(1998)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Leans Progressive
7.7
The Revenant
(2015)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Progressive
6.9
See You Yesterday
(2019)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: High
Progressive
7.2
Holes
(2003)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: High
Leans Progressive
6.6
The Jungle Book
(1994)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Progressive
7.9
Dances with Wolves
(1990)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: High
Progressive
8.2
Thelma & Louise
(1991)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Positive
Progressive
7.6
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada
(2005)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: High
Progressive
6.7
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
(2002)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: High
Leans Progressive
7.7
Okja
(2017)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: Moderate
Leans Progressive
8.7
The Wild Robot
(2024)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Leans Progressive
8.3
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
(2022)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: Moderate
Leans Progressive
7.7
The Green Knight
(2021)
Political: Center
Diversity: High
Leans Progressive
7.8
Easy Rider
(1969)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: Low
Leans Progressive
6.6
Hawaii
(1966)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate