AMMAN - The company responsible for the production of "The Hurt Locker" and two of its crew are wanted by the Jordanian judiciary after local computer company ACMEWARE filed a lawsuit claiming they failed to pay around JD800 in financial obligations to the company.
The court decision was issued on September 9, 2008, but no arrest warrant has yet been issued against the defendants, the plaintiff's attorney Thaer Juneidi told The Jordan Times yesterday, adding that when the case went to court in 2007, the film crew was still in Jordan and was informed about the case, but none of those involved showed up during the court sessions.
"The documents with which we provided the court supported our case against the filmmakers. These included vouchers and bills signed by the film's production manager and assistant accountant Karima Ladjimi and Mark Houston," Juneidi said.
Ladjimi, in a phone call with The Jordan Times yesterday, acknowledged that she received an e-mail from an attorney regarding the case.
"I did receive an e-mail way back then from an attorney. As I do not represent the company which produced the film, I have nothing to do with it. I was hired as crew, just like everybody else. I am surprised that my name and Mark Houston's name are dragged in the case. But I will look into it further," she added in an e-mail to The Jordan Times.
"This is very bad publicity for Jordan, should the case get any notice. Like I said, the Hurt Locker spent over $5 million in Jordan. JD800 is a ridiculous sum compared to that," she added.
The case dates back to 2007, said ACMEWARE Executive Director Ahmed Ghannam, when the film's producers rented some equipment and computer accessories from his venture.
"We provided them with technical logistic support such as printers, DVD players, ink cartridges and electrical connections at a cost of more than JD800 and in return they pledged to pay the company within days. But they never did," Ghannam told The Jordan Times yesterday.
He acknowledged that the amount is insignificant, "but it is a matter of principle", adding that he contacted the company several times before resorting to the court in order to reach a settlement between the two parties.
Ladjimi claimed that ACMEWARE technical staff had broken one of her employer's computers, adding that they had fulfilled their financial obligations to ACMEWARE after deducting the cost of the broken computer.
At the 82nd Academy Awards last week, "The Hurt Locker", which was filmed in the Kingdom over two months in 2007, won six Oscars, including Best Picture, out of nine for which it was nominated.
Meanwhile, Ladjimi said she was very thankful to the country and the people for hosting the film cast and crew.
"I would like to thank the Kingdom of Jordan for hosting 'The Hurt Locker' cast and crew, the RFC [Royal Film Commission] for their invaluable help on this production and all the Jordanian crew for their efforts, hard work, and participation, and, last but not least, for the suppliers for their contributions to the film," she said.
"I was also line producer and production manager on 'Captain Abu Raed'. I had a wonderful experience in Jordan on both films. And indeed, a most wonderful time while I was there," she added.
By Hani Hazaimeh
© Jordan Times 2010
