LOST in the Middle East [Updated]

Though “LOST” production started in earnest on Monday, March 10, work was largely limited to the Hawaii Film Studio on Diamond Head. Today, however, substantial construction work was coming together in urban Honolulu for a two-day location shoot beginning tomorrow. The crew has been building a dusty, rubble-strewn Middle Eastern town in the back corner of a school.

What town is being depicted? The signage appears to be in Sanskrit Arabic, and the campus-wide alert advising students and staff of the filming described it as an “Iraq/Afghanistan scene” — but this may be was a guess. I’m told at least one scene is a Tunisian hotel.

There was a remarkable amount of carpentry and concrete, with new structures going up in front of an existing facade of low-rise apartments. Military trucks and wrecked cars stood guard in front of roadside stands selling pottery and used luggage. A large archway seemed to serve as the centerpiece of the scene.

Filming is scheduled for both tomorrow and Friday, and no doubt students will gather to watch between classes. The first star sightings will likely provide the best clue as to whose character’s story will be covered in Episode 4×09 (dubbed “Bakir” by spoiler-trackers thanks to its casting call). I’m told at least two familiar faces, Sayid (Naveen Andrews) and Ben (Michael Emerson), will make appearances.

Check out the rest of my photos here (63 photos in the set).

UPDATE: A little birdie tells me we’ll see Sayid (Naveen Andrews) and Ben (Michael Emerson) in Tunisia. Edits above.