By Anealla Safdar, Digital Department, DFI

Film: Special Forces (Original title: Forces Spéciales)
Director: Stéphane Rybojad
Starring: Diane Kruger, Djimon Hounsou, Tchéky Karyo, Benoît Magimel, Mehdi Nabbou
Genre: Action
Running Time: 109 mins
Languages: French, English, Pashto (The version playing in Doha currently is dubbed entirely in English)

“Special Forces” is an unexpected film from a French director; it’s a modern war adventure with video game-style action and a serving of emotional drama.

French journalist Elsa (Diane Kruger) has just stung Ahmed Zaief (Raz Degan), an Afghan Taliban leader, as the ‘butcher of Kabul’ in her latest article.

She’s captured and rather quickly released with the help of Special Forces, leaving the majority of the film’s 109 minutes to deal with her journey back to safety. Along the way, audiences will delight in picturesque scenery, supposedly of the Hindu Kush and other mountain ranges. These landscapes were shot in two locations: Djibouti and Tajikstan, and should be viewed on the big screen.

The film was released in 2011, 10 years after the US invasion of Afghanistan (and consequently the start of a hostage-trend). The region’s politics have provided inspiration for filmmakers over the past decade; some excelled (“Syriana”, “Hurt Locker”), others just didn’t make the mark.

Though “Special Forces” probably belongs in the latter group, there’s a stellar cast, strong cinematography, unique approaches to camerawork and attempts to dispel some stereotypes.

“Special Forces” is playing in Doha in lieu of new releases over Ramadan. The film is entirely dubbed in English, even over the English language dialogue.