The Hunt for the Riyal (film)

The Hunt for the Riyal is a 1998 Barokian treasure hunt film directed by Qanfooz Yaseen and produced by the Inane Filmmakers Gang. It stars Faizullah Benaldjia, Benzai Uraqqa, Mazi Akhun, and Mojtaba Bahjat in the leading roles. It was produced by IFG, S.A. and distributed by BBT Film.

The film was based off the 1987 American film Million Dollar Mystery, and was released with a tie-in to Nestlé Milkybars, who sponsored sweepstakes timed for the film's release. Nestlé Barokia gave away entry forms, and the audience would fill out these forms with their answer to where the last million is hiding, based on clues given in the film. The winner of the contest was a young A'isha Feyrouz Mészáros, who guessed that the last million riyal was hiding in the hallways of Mecca.

Plot
Omar Al-Muhammad, an exiled Libyan prince, takes off with 8 million riyal that belonged to the Barokian embassy in Libya. While on the run, he stops at a fast food restaurant and has one of their world-famous chili dogs. He suffers a fatal heart attack and before dying, reveals to onlookers the location of the first million riyal.

The occupants of the restaurant head out on a mad dash to find the loot. When they find the money, they lose it in a mishap. They follow clues to the next million and lose it as well. After finding and losing the latter millions, the movie ends. During the closing credits, the ghost of Omar informs the audience that there is a million dollars somewhere in the Middle East, North Africa, or South America and if they follow the clues in specially marked Nestlé Milkybar "Super Packs", they have the chance to win 9 million riyal.

Cast

 * Joaquín Gabaz as Omar Al-Muhammad
 * Faizullah Benaldjia as Salem
 * Benzai Uraqqa as Dashar
 * Mazi Akhun as Doris
 * Mojtaba Bahjat as himself
 * Shabra Ghabaz as Fulla
 * Mohammad Taqi Al-Ajlani as Kassi
 * Feng Shujiao as Xin Xin
 * Maya Ali Al-Enezi as Mayah

Production
Filming took place in the Mazzayah province. The stunts for the film were produced by Donald von Uckermann and the Fire and Fury Stunt Show.

Reception
The film mostly received mixed reviews. Critics admired the plot and acting but thought the product placement was too obvious.