That’s my team! I’m not leaving without my brothers.

Squad Commander Col Mohammed Almazrouei, Al Kameen 2021

Directed by the infamous director, Pierre Morel of Taken, the film industry had set foot to the Middle East to showcase a story of bravery and brotherhood, based on a true story, Al Kameen (The Ambush) is one of the largest Arabic production that has been made with almost hundreds of cast and crew and written renowned writes such as Brandon Birtell of Furious 7 and Kurtis Birtell of Medal of Honour, this action-packed film that was shot in UAE, produced by Image Nation Abu Dhabi and AGC Studios, is narrating the story of Emirati soldiers who were ambushed during a mission in Yemen, where Squad Commander Col Almazrouei had to rescue his brother (in uniform) from an attack led by huge numbers of gunmen and snipers that took 7 hours long, killing one of their men.

Al Kameen (الكمن) is not only about soldiers fighting for their lives but also a story about camaraderie, and companionship and the family that was left behind by every soldier fighting for their country and for the peace of the world. This is not only for Emirati soldiers but this is also the story of almost all soldiers that are getting deployed in a foreign country without any assurance if they will come back alive or in one piece.

This movie has been one of the best war films that had played so far this year or from 2019 as well. In time for the 50th anniversary of UAE, this film just showed us how soldiers are not only compatriots, but they are also brother connected by their hearts and their beliefs. This is what UAE stands for, tolerance and peace.

My verdict is an obvious verdict. I love the film, considering this is my first Arabic language movie that I actually finished. This I believe serves as a recognition for the future of Arabic film industry. It took me just a snap, to realize why am I living here in the first place. I once was dreaming of becoming a director and I went to UAE to discover the wide diversity and everything that this country has to offer. Now I’m reminded of the real reason why I’m studying Arabic language, coz I wanna contribute someday in their industry coz I know, there’s so much more that can be done to enhance the Arabic film industry.

At some point, I know this movie will leave a mark in every viewer’s hearts. I’m feeling a great reverential respect to all the soldier, not only the ones who fought in Yemen last 2018 but also the other fallen soldiers from different countries who fought for other people’s countrymen. This is also an eye-opener and much of a lesson-giver as this film had grant us a chance to see the story behind every soldier and every family.

For the first few minutes of the film, it was all normal jokes and laughters but when each of them had a piece of their story getting told, I knew there was gonna be bawling that’s going to happen at the end of the film which is definitely what happened coz the entire time that I was watching it, I wanted to fast forward it coz all the bombing and shots were like a reflection of what’s really happening in the other side of the Middle East. Like, while I was watching, my heart is beating so fast like I’m about to just cover my eyes and wish for the film to stop. I have seen war films and it is the same reaction every time I do coz I know to myself, this is real…somewhere else.

What really made me cry is when one of the soldiers died, leaving his family and two kids, very young kids, alone in this world however, I know for a fact, when the captain had to give the name tag and the toy to Ali’s kids, he will be and all the soldiers, will be their fathers and that just melted my heart in an instant. This is what family is, and this is what UAE is trying to tell us. This has been their message the whole time. Family, no matter how delicate or dangerous the situation is, we fight for them and we don’t leave anyone behind. We stay to protect and we stay to support.

If all Arabic movies will be like this, I believe there will be a big future and I am with every one who says, this movie is one of the biggest movie this year.

All in all, I’m gonna give this a 95% wonderroanne rating! It really hits deeply in the gut!