Al Kameen (The Ambush), an Emirati action film co-produced by AGC International and Image Nation Abu Dhabi, has shattered box office records with over 170,000 admissions since its November 25 release. This makes it the foremost successful Emirati and Arabic-language film within the UAE, which is one among the world’s top 20 box office markets. It has also established itself as one of the top five grossing films of the year after only one week in theatres.
It is the fifth-largest opening within the UAE this year, trailing only Fast 9, Venom 2, No Time to Die, and Godzilla vs Kong.
According to the producers, Al Kameen involved over 400 cast and crew members and was shot entirely within the UAE, making it the most important Arabic-language feature production within the GCC.
The film’s performance was recently held at Vox Cinemas Yas Mall, which was attended by acclaimed director Pierre Morel, producers Derek Dauchy and Jennifer Roth, and therefore the cast, as well as the real Emirati soldiers whose true storey inspired the film. It has been a box office and critical success since its release on Thursday. It is currently playing on 185 screens in the United Arab Emirates.
“Vox Distribution is immensely pleased with the record-breaking success that Al Kameen is enjoying in the UAE, which reiterates the growing popularity of homegrown productions and also demonstrates that audiences want the immersive and unrivalled entertainment experience that cinema provides,” said Ignace Lahoud, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Leisure, Entertainment & Cinemas.
We are committed to championing local talent and providing the necessary platform to ensure that audiences have access to premium Arabic content. We look forward to more fruitful collaborations with Image Nation Abu Dhabi.”
“The feedback we’ve received from audiences across the UAE has been overwhelming,” said director Pierre Morel, “and I’m so proud to possess been a neighbourhood of this fantastic project.” “I hope audiences continue to be moved by this inspiring storey of brotherhood.”
“Aside from the compelling storey, Al Kameen’s success comes in no small part from the incredibly talented crew based in Abu Dhabi,” said Hana Kazim, Manager of Local Film and Television at Image Nation Abu Dhabi and the executive responsibilities of production on Al Kameen. This achievement demonstrates that the Emirate is producing world-class content. The film’s success is a watershed moment for Emirati cinema, and we hope that it will lead to more opportunities for our well-established local talent.”
Brandon Birtell (Furious 7) and Kurtis Birtell (Medal of Honour) wrote Al Kameen (The Ambush) in close collaboration with the soldiers involved in the real-life 2018 incident that inspired the plot. Hana Kazim, Talal Al Asmani, Alwiya Thani, and Alia AlQemzi were among the Emirati filmmakers and development executives who worked on Image Nation Abu Dhabi’s production.
‘Al Kameen,’ an Emirati action film, breaks box office records in the UAE.
