The film is based on a true story about a rescue mission undertaken by UAE soldiers.
Saban Films have secured the US and Canadian rights to Image Nation Abu Dhabi and AGC International’s Al Kameen (The Ambush).
Saban Films is a boutique North American acquisition and distribution company based in Los Angeles, California.
This marks the company’s first non-English language film acquisition. Saban Films is planning a theatrical release on October 28, ahead of an on-demand and digital release on November 1.
The film, directed by Pierre Morel (Taken), was initially released in the UAE on November 2021 across 185 screens and is officially the highest-grossing Arabic-language film ever in the country.
Starring an all-Emirati lead cast, including Omar Bin Haider, Marwan Abdulla Saleh, Mohammed Ahmed, Mansoor Alfeeli, and Khalifa Albahri, The Ambush follows the story of three UAE soldiers desperately awaiting salvation when their armoured vehicle is attacked by heavy enemy gunfire and becomes trapped in a remote canyon. Their only hope is a daring rescue mission plotted by their courageous commander.
The deal was negotiated by Bill Bromiley for Saban Films and Stuart Ford on behalf of AGC Studios.
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.
Al Kameen (The Ambush) 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 incident 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.
Commenting on the deal, Bill Bromiley, President of Saban Films, said: “As more and more embrace international content, we’re thrilled to bring Pierre Morel’s incredible film to a wider audience. As Saban’s first foreign language film, The Ambush, a story about unwavering resilience, will continue to inspire audiences around the world.”
