hicham hajji - Film Combat Syndicate

hicham hajji

MOVEMENT IN MOROCCO: A Word With ‘Redemption Day’ Director Hicham Hajji

It’s only a matter of days as of this article until filmmaker Hicham Hajji’s feature directing debut, Redemption Day, commences its US release from Saban Films. Hajji is now rolling out some chat-worthy blurbs this month to promote the film which stars Gary Dourdan as a security expert forced to press on through his own war trauma to rescue his archeologist wife from a terrorist cell in Algeria. I was drawn to Redemption Day upon my own coverage of it about a year ago during its production, particularly since Gary Dourdan (CSI) is in it, and I’ve mainly been a fan since seeing him in Alien: Resurrection, which is one of my guilty pleasures. And with Redemption Day being an independently-produced action vehichle, it’s got some zhush to it! The film opens in theaters this Friday and is proceeding to a Digital and On Demand release next week on January […]

REDEMPTION DAY Review: Gary Dourdan Spearheads A Feasibly Entertaining Kidnap And Rescue Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

While some parts of writer/director Hicham Hajji’s freshman feature, Redemption Day, can be a bit touch and go from some technical and creative aspects, the bulk of it largely plays as a straightforward, somewhat layered espionage Taken-style thriller, with actor Gary Dourdan leading the charge and in fine form. The form could’ve otherwise been shot better but, more on that later. What begins with a five-minute oner leading to an explosive gun battle signals itself as a flashback moment that introduces our hero, Captain Brad Paxton, military hero home from service now working as a security expert and living with his wife, Kate (Serinda Swan), daughter Clair (Lilia Hajji) and boxing coach father, Ed (Ernie Hudson). It’s revealed that Brad suffers from PTSD which leads to some pretty stifling sleep discomfort and other things, though he can certainly count on Ed to help keep Brad grounded when he becomes distant, […]