The film is based on a true story about a rescue mission undertaken by UAE soldiers.
Image Nation Abu Dhabi and AGC International, an arm of AGC Studios in the US, have released the full trailer for its upcoming Emirati action film titled Al Kameen (The Ambush), directed by French filmmaker Pierre Morel.
Vox Distribution will distribute the film in movie theatres across the UAE and selected regions from November 25.
According to producers, the film is the largest Arabic-language film ever made in the Gulf, with 400 cast and crew including an all-Emirati lead cast. It tells the story of a UAE army vehicle ambushed by enemy combatants while travelling through a narrow canyon. Following the attack by the armed militants, the trapped soldiers’ courageous unit commander attempts a daring mission to rescue them.
Speaking about the film, Pierre Morel (Taken) said: “Al Kameen tells the incredible story of a small group of soldiers demonstrating courage, heroism and brotherhood in unimaginable circumstances. Working with a fantastic cast and crew in the stunning natural landscapes of the UAE, we have created a truly compelling story that is true, both visually and culturally, to its real-life inspiration.”
Hana Kazim, Manager of local film and television at Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Al Kameen development executive, added: “This is a film in the great tradition of action movies like Black Hawk Down, Saving Private Ryan and Dunkirk, exploring the deep connections forged in conflict and the triumph of the human spirit. The film is unlike anything we have done before in the UAE – the production featured the largest-ever cast and crew for an Arabic-language production in the GCC, bringing together local, regional and international talent to tell this inspirational narrative.”
Ignace Lahoud, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Leisure, Entertainment & Cinemas stated: “Vox Distribution is pleased to collaborate once again with Image Nation Abu Dhabi to give this inspirational true story the big-screen treatment it deserves. There is a huge appetite for home-grown productions in the region and, we’re also witnessing Arab films garnering greater global attention at international film festivals in recent years. Distributing Al Kameen (The Ambush) is a testament to our commitment to bolster Arabic content, promote the new generation of emerging local talent and bring films that resonate with audiences to movie lovers across the region.”
Al Kameen stars an all-Emirati lead cast, including Marwan Abdulla Saleh, Khalifa Al Jassem, Mohammed Ahmed, Abdullah Saeed Bin Haider, Saeed AlHarsh, Hassan Yousuf Alblooshi, Khalifa AlBahri, Ghanim Nasser, Mansoor Alfeeli, Hussein Saeed Salem, Abdullah Alrashidi, Talal Al Bloushi, Omar Bin Haider, Ibrahim Musharaakh, Abdulla Al Maqbali, Salem Altamimi, Mohammed Faisal Mostafa, Maitha Mohammed, Yaqoob Thabit, Salim Musabah Khamis Alnaimi, Saoud Al Kaabi and Mahira Abdelaziz.
The film was co-produced by AGC Studios and Image Nation Abu Dhabi and directed by Pierre Morel, with producers Derek Dauchy (Roman J Israel) and Jennifer Roth (Black Swan).
The film was written by Brandon Birtell (Furious 7) and Kurtis Birtell (Medal of Honour) in close consultation with the soldiers involved in the real-life 2018 ambush that inspired the plot. Image Nation Abu Dhabi’s production included a team of Emirati filmmakers and development executives including Hana Kazim, Talal Al Asmani, Alwiya Thani and Alia AlQemzi.
In addition to being the Middle East’s largest exhibitor, Vox Cinemas also produces content and operates a large regional film distribution operation. Next year, it will distribute 100 titles from around the world including the MENA region, Hollywood, Bollywood, Asia and Europe.
