Al Kameen

Al Kameen (الكمين Arabic, meaning "The Ambush") is a 2021 Emirati action-war film directed by Pierre Morel and written by Brandon Birtell and Kurtis Birtell.^[1][2] The film is based on the true story of a 2018 ambush of Emirati soldiers by insurgents.^[1][3][4] As of December 2021, it is highest-grossing Emirati and Arabic-language film ever in the UAE, grossing over $5 million worldwide. ^[5]

Al Kameen
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Pierre Morel
Written by	Brandon Birtell Kurtis Birtell
Produced by	Derek Dauchy Jennifer Roth
Starring	Marwan Abdullah Saleh Khalifa Al Jassem Mohammed Ahmed
Music by	Harry Gregson-Williams
Production companies	AGC Studios Image Nation Abu Dhabi
Distributed by	Vox Distribution
Release date	November 25, 2021 (2021-11-25)
Running time	102 minutes
Country	United Arab Emirates
Language	Arabic
Box office	$5.2 million

Principal photography took place in the United Arab Emirates.^[6] The film was released on November 25, 2021.^[1][7] It is produced by AGC Studios and Image Nation Abu Dhabi and theatrically distributed by Vox Distribution.^[2]

Plot

2018, during the Yemen War, United Arab Emirates Armed Forces soldiers based in Mocha are deployed on a mission. In the middle of a routine patrol, Emirati soldiers Ali Al-mismari, Bilal Al Saadi, and Al Hindasi are trapped in a valley by rebel combatants. In response, another squad of Emirati soldiers conducts a mission to rescue their compatriots.^{[4][8][9][10]}

Cast

• Marwan Abdulla Saleh as Sergeant Ali Al-mismari^[4]
• Khalifa Al Jassem as Warrant Officer Bilal Al Saadi^[4]
• Mohammed Ahmed as Sergeant Al Hindasi^[4]
• Mansoor Alfeeli as Colonel Jamal Al Khatri
• Khalifa Albahri as Al Sayari
• Ibrahim Almusharaakh as Mansoor
• Hassan Yousuf as Abdulla Alblooshi
• Abdullah Bin Heider as Colonel Almazroui
• Ghanim Nasser as Opposition Leader
• Salem Altamimi  as Sergeant Salem^[11]
• Saeed AlHarsh  as Captain Saeed Al Shehhi

Production

Harry Gregson-Williams composed the film’s musical score.^[12] Drone filming was provided by Airscope Drones.^[13][14]

Al Kameen was filmed by a 400-member crew and cast, making it the largest Arabic-language feature film production filmed in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).^[3][4] The film crew included a team of Emirati filmmakers and cultural consultants, including directors Hana Kazim, Talal Al Asmani, Aliwiya Thani and Alia AlQemzi.^[15] It was produced by AGC Studios and Image Nation Abu Dhabi.^[2][16]

Release

The film opened on November 25, 2021, in the UAE and became the biggest opening of 2021^[2] and highest-grossing Emirati and Arabic-language film ever in the UAE.^[5][17][18]

References

1. "Watch: 'Taken' Director's Emirati Action Film 'Al Kameen' Coming in November". The National. 2021-11-08. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
2. Wiseman, Andreas (2021-12-01). "Pierre Morel Action Film 'Al Kameen' Smashes UAE Box Office Records". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2021-12-01. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
3. "All-Emirati Lead Cast to Topline Action Packed Film". www.gulftoday.ae. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
4. Vivarelli, Nick (2021-10-14). "Stuart Ford's AGC and Image Nation Abu Dhabi Unveil Teaser for 'The Ambush,' Largest Arab Film Shot in UAE". Variety. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
5. Wiseman, Andreas (2021-12-01). "Pierre Morel Action Film 'Al Kameen' Smashes UAE Box Office Records". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-01-21.
6. Wiseman, Andreas; Goldbart, Max; Grater, Tom (2021-10-13). "AGC & Image Nation Action Pic First Teaser; Studiocanal Ends NBCU Deal; APSA Noms; David Jason Doc — Global Briefs". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
7. "'Taken' Director Makes UAE-backed Film about Yemen War". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
8. "Director Pierre Morel Says his Emirati Action Film 'Al Kameen' is About Brotherhood". The National. 2021-11-25. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
9. "The Makers of "Al-Kameen": A National Cinematic Experience in Our Journey". 2021-11-24. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
10. Mohanna, Dima (2021-11-08). "إصدار العرض النهائي للفيلم الإماراتي "الكمين" استعداداً لعرضه في دور السينما في 25 نوفمبر". IGN الشرق الأوسط (in Arabic). Retrieved 2021-12-08.
11. حمود, ناهد (2021-10-13). "سالم التميمي: "الكمين" دراما تجسد شجاعة جنودنا البواسل". صحيفة الرؤية (in Arabic). Retrieved 2021-12-08.
12. "Harry Gregson-Williams Scoring Pierre Morel's 'Al Kameen' ('The Ambush') | Film Music Reporter". Retrieved 2021-12-08.
13. "Airscope Drones - The Ambush Movie". airscope.ae. Archived from the original on 2021-12-08. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
14. "التغيير برس : أحداث ومشاهد حقيقية للمعركة التي يتحدث عنها فلم " الكمين " الإماراتي". al-tagheerpress.com التغيير برس (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 2021-11-08. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
15. "First Teaser for Upcoming Emirati Action Film 'Al Kameen' ("The Ambush")". www.movingimagemiddleeast.com. Archived from the original on 2022-11-15. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
16. "Emirati Action Film 'Al Kameen' to Release on November 25". BroadcastPro ME. 2021-11-09. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
17. "Emirati Film 'Al Kameen' Breaks Records in the UAE". The National. 2021-12-04. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
18. "Al Kameen: UAE's Yemen War Film Rides Nationalist Fervour to Break Records". Middle East Eye. 2021-12-02. Archived from the original on 2021-12-02. Retrieved 2021-12-08.

External links

• Al Kameen at IMDb