When, where and how to retaliate are a matter of national security and sovereignty. That what reveals strength at times of crises.
On February 15, 2015, the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group broadcasted a cruel video featuring a massacre slaughtering 21 Copts in Derna in neighbouring Libya. The horrific scenes of bloodshed of innocent young people stirred a wave of anger in Egypt. A military air operation was a must to make it clear to the whole world that the lives of Egyptians is by all means “a red line”.
Within only a few hours, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi commissioned the nation’s Air Force to hit back in an immediate retaliation. The Army’s fast response to the massacre soothed the anger of victims’ families and all Egyptians.
The Squadron
How to feature such a military operation on the big screen is not that easy, especially in view of state-of-the-art equipment and cinematic development worldwide. However, filmmaker Ahmed Nader Galal has brilliantly made a movie about Egypt’s military operation in one-of-a-kind piece of art titled Aserb (The Squadron) was premiered last week, netting LE1.6 million on its first day at local cinemas.
The movie featuring a true heroic story of Egypt’s Air Force destroying terrorists’ strongholds in the Libyan city of Derna. Egypt’s air strikes targeted their camps as well as weapons and ammunition stores.
Top Gun-like movie
Far surpassing Hollywood’s Top Gun in its part one, which was produced in 1986, Aserb is nonfiction as it is a true story with vivid drama that evolving throughout the movie and a variety of characters.
Sherif el-Masry (Sherif Munir), a high-ranking army commander says to the fighters ahead of the strike:“All of you will go fight, and you all will return”.
Actor Ahmed el-Sakka, as usual appeared in high fitness playing officer Ali el-Masry who never fears death and willing to sacrifice his life for his homeland.
On the other side, there is the character of Abu Assa’ed el-Hamrawy (Mohamed Mamdouh), the IS emir whose pride and ego made him think that he is “a god who can kill whoever he wants”.
The movie, which also gathers a large number of actors and actresses, has documented the tragic incident cinematically and it succeeded in portraying the story brilliantly, with remarkable acting, directing and well-written script.
Director Galal succeeded in crafting the work cinematically, as the action scenes and air strikes were filmed very professionally emulating Hollywood films like Top Gun. Galal delved into every little detail of the operation with all of its huge number of jet fighters taking part in the strikes.
There’s no good movie without a good script. Author Omar Abdel Halim excelled in formulating a dramatic script that touched the audience.
Composer Amr Ismail has marvelously portrayed pride, bravery, valor and emotions throughout the film.
The movie is an epic that helps new generations to know how the Egyptian army heroes sacrificed and continues to sacrifice for our homeland.
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