Kajaki (film)
| Kajaki: The True Story | |
|---|---|
 UK theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Paul Katis |
| Produced by |
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| Written by | Tom Williams |
| Starring | David Elliot |
| Cinematography | Chris Goodger |
| Edited by | Brin |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Alchemy Releasing |
Release dates |
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Running time | 108 minutes[1] |
| Country |
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| Language | English |
| Box office | $7,891[2] |
Kajaki: The True Story, released in North America as Kilo Two Bravo,[3] is a 2014 British war thriller film directed by Paul Katis, written by Tom Williams, and produced by Katis and Andrew de Lotbiniere.
The plot is based on the true story of Mark Wright and of a small unit of British soldiers positioned near the Kajaki dam, in Afghanistan.
Plot
A three-man patrol sets out to disable a Taliban roadblock. In a dried out river bed at the foot of the ridge, one of the patrol detonates a land mine, blowing off his leg and setting into motion a desperate rescue mission. His fellow soldiers come to his aid, only to find themselves trapped in an unmarked minefield, a relic of the Soviet campaign in the 1980s. With no way out, any movement risks certain injury and possible death. Out of this harrowing day came extraordinary tales of bravery, selflessness and heroism, but also tragic consequences, for leader Corporal Mark Wright and his comrades, who risked their own lives to help each other.[4]
Cast
- David Elliot as Mark Wright
- Mark Stanley as Tug
- Scott Kyle as Stu Pearson
- Benjamin O'Mahony as Stu Hale
- Bryan Parry as Jonesy
- Liam Ainsworth as Ken Barlow
- Ali Cook as Spud McMellon
- Andy Gibbins as Smudge
- Grant Kilburn as Alex Craig
- John Doughty as Dave Prosser
- Jon-Paul Bell as Luke Mauro
- Malachi Kirby as Snoop
- Paul Luebke as Jay Davis
- Robert Mitchell as Faz
- Thomas Davison as Jarhead
- Abe Dababneh as Kajaki Jon
- Felipe Cabezas as Kajaki Mike
- Hazem Alagha as Steven "Bombhead" Watson
Production
The film was shot on location at Al Kaferin Dam, Jordan, as a stand-in for Afghanistan.
Release
Kajaki premiered on 12 November 2014 at London's Leicester Square and was attended by cast, crew and Veterans. The film was released in the United Kingdom on 28 November 2014 before being released in the United States nearly a year later on 13 November 2015.
Critical reception
The film received positive reviews from critics. It currently holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 28 reviews, with an average rating of 7.6/10. The critical consensus states: "Kilo Two Bravo honours its fact-based story with an almost unbearably tense drama that captures the horrors -- and the human cost -- of modern warfare."[5]
Accolades
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipients and nominees | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Academy Film Awards[6] | 8 February 2015 | Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer | Paul Katis (director/producer), Andrew de Lotbinière (producer) | Nominated |
| British Independent Film Awards[7] | 6 December 2015 | Producer of the Year | Paul Katis (director/producer), Andrew de Lotbinière (producer) | Won |
| BAFTA Scotland Awards[8] | 15 November 2015 | Best Actor in Film | David Elliot | Won |
References
- ↑ "KAJAKI THE TRUE STORY (15)". British Board of Film Classification. 7 November 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
- ↑ "Kilo Two Bravo (2015) - International Box Office Results". Box Office Mojo. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
- ↑ Toronto: War Story ‘Kilo Two Bravo’ Set for November U.S. Release Variety; September 9, 2015
- ↑ http://kajakimovie.com/about/
- ↑ "Kilo Two Bravo (2015)". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
- ↑ "Nominations Announced for the EE British Academy Film Awards in 2015". Retrieved 11 January 2015.
- ↑ "British Independent Film Awards 2015".
- ↑ "BAFTA Scotland Awards 2015".
External links
- Kajaki (Kilo Two Bravo) at the Internet Movie Database
- Kajaki (Kilo Two Bravo) at Box Office Mojo
- Kajaki (Kilo Two Bravo) at Rotten Tomatoes
- Kajaki on Facebook