Mosul

Mosul is a gripping war-action drama film released in 2019, directed by Matthew Michael Carnahan and produced by Anthony and Joe Russo. Boasting the collective collaboration of performers like Waleed Elgadi, Suhail Dabbach, and Adam Bessa, as well as a host of stellar supporting actors, the movie plunges its viewers into the realities of Iraq's second-largest city in the throes of battle against the Islamic State (ISIS).

Mosul is primarily centered around the riveting journey of Kawa, an inexperienced local cop who is efficiently portrayed by Adam Bessa. His character is thrown headlong into the epicenter of a fierce battlefield following an attack by ISIS militants. The story truly initiates when Kawa is dramatically rescued by the Nineveh SWAT team, a renegade police unit who have taken up arms against the jihadist terrorist organization.

Suhail Dabbach plays the hardened and rigid commander Jasem of the SWAT team, leading his men with an unfaltering focus, unbending willpower, and an undying hunger for revenge. Waleed Elgadi plays Major Jasem's right hand, named Waleed. His character forms a balance between the valor of the men and the extreme pressures they face. The dynamic between Kawa and the rest of the team forms a core element of the narrative, highlighting the maturation of Kawa from a greenhorn police officer into a versatile field soldier.

But Mosul is more than a harrowing war story. It provides a glance at the intricacies of patriotism, sacrifice, brotherhood, and the endurance of the human spirit in the face of relentless brutality and odds stacked against them. The script aptly weaves the torments of war, the shambles of a city turned to ruins, and the plight of its people while never losing sight of the resilience and defiance of its heroes.

Carnahan’s rendition of Mosul is not painted with the black and white simplicity of 'good versus evil.' He takes the time to deconstruct the tangled web of geopolitical influences at play within the region, including corruption, civil strife, cultural diversity, and international politics. It grasps the harsh reality of war, not glamourizing it but showcasing the raw reality of its deadly counterpart. The action scenes are relentless and exhausting, and feel real, rather than Hollywood stylized.

The film is noteworthy for being sparsely populated by Western characters, and it is primarily delivered in the Arabic language, giving it both an air of authenticity and, for many viewers, a refreshing divergence from the norm. These elements brighten the locality and authenticity of the story, keeping it grounded rather than exoticizing the Middle Eastern setting.

Mosul's cinematography is a visual spectacle despite the gritty backdrop. The film vividly illustrates the devastated cityscape, haunting remnants of the once idyllic city, and the relentless determination of the ones fighting to reclaim it. Cinematic elements used in the film—tight close-ups, handheld camera work—intensify the sense of immediacy and realism, while the score subtly complements the on-screen tension and moments of brief respite.

Overall, Mosul is an intense heartrending war film that chronicles the harsh realities of the conflict with tremendous authenticity. It's a stirring tribute to the brave men who fought against all odds to rescue their troubled city from the clutches of terror. Despite the bleak brutality of the battlefield, Mosul is also about hope and the unfathomable resilience of the human spirit. Needless to say, this film is a must-watch for lovers of gritty, realistic war dramas.