The music was written in collaboration with several other musicians (including Martin Tillmann, Craig Eastman, Michael Brook, Heitor Pereira and Mel Wesson) in what was referred to as "The War Room" at the Media Ventures studios.

Based on jam sessions that were later edited to match the pictures, the score was produced within a few weeks.

Because the end result was very experimental, Zimmer was afraid there would not be much music suitable for a listening experience on compact disc.

To prepare for the film, composer Hans Zimmer sent then-assistant Marc Streitenfeld to scout various instruments and sounds native to the deserts of Africa.

Among these musicians was Senegalese vocalist Baaba Maal, whose typically positive sound was used in contrast with the film's content,[2] and Denez Prigent, a Breton singer interpreting Gortoz a ran ("I await") with Lisa Gerrard.