Eye in the Sky (2015)

Col. Katherine Powell, a military officer in command of an operation to capture terrorists in Kenya, sees her mission escalate when a girl enters the kill zone triggering an international dispute over the implications of modern warfare.

Director:

Gavin Hood

Writer:

Guy Hibbert

Stars:

Helen Mirren, Aaron Paul, Alan Rickman

3 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Faisa Hassan	...	Fatima Mo'Allim
Aisha Takow	...	Alia Mo'Allim
Armaan Haggio	...	Musa Mo'Allim
Helen Mirren	...	Colonel Katherine Powell
Bob Chappell	...	Simon Powell
Alex Gallafent	...	Reporter
Aaron Paul	...	Steve Watts
Babou Ceesay	...	Sergeant Mushtaq Saddiq
Carl Beukes	...	Sergeant Mike Gleeson
Kate Liquorish	...	Female Sergeant
Richard Stephenson	...	Staff Sergeant
Gabriella Pinto	...	Female Corporal
Tylan Wray	...	Male Corporal
Hossain Dahir	...	Driver One
Mondé Sibisi	...	Muhammad Abdisalaam

Storyline

Colonel Katherine Powell is a UK-based military officer in command of a top secret drone operation to capture terrorists in Kenya. Through remote surveillance and on-the-ground intel, Powell discovers the targets are planning a suicide bombing and the mission escalates from "capture" to "kill." But as American pilot Steve Watts (Aaron Paul) is about to engage, a nine-year old girl enters the kill zone triggering an international dispute, reaching the highest levels of US and British government, over the moral, political, and personal implications of modern warfare.

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Plot Keywords:

rules of engagement | drone pilot | top level terrorist | terrorist cell | woman commanding officer | 

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Taglines:

The commander is in England. The drone pilot is in America. The terrorist is in Kenya. And the authority to strike is up in the air.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violent images and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK Canada

Language:

Somali English

Release Date:

1 April 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

Enemigo invisible

Filming Locations:

South Africa

Box Office

Budget:

$13,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$113,803, 13 March 2016, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$18,700,837, 17 July 2016

Company Credits

Production Co:

Raindog Films,Entertainment One

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Surround 7.1

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Helen Mirren's role was originally written for a male actor.

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Goofs

Before Colonel Katherine Powell (Helen Mirren) speaks to the Attorney General on video feed, she is incorrectly introduced by Lt Gen Frank Benson (Alan Rickman) as "Captain".

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Quotes

Lt. General Frank Benson: Never tell a soldier that he does not know the cost of war.

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Crazy Credits

In loving memory of Alan Rickman.

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Connections

Featured in Eye in the Sky: Perspectives (2016)

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Soundtracks

Nude Dancing
Written by Gabriel Previtera (as G. Previtera) / Paul Hepker (as P. Hepker)
Performed by zelig
Featuring Abashante
Courtesy of kekila music

User Reviews

A great examination of moral reasoning and ethical decision-making!

"Eye in the Sky" is an excellent examination of ethical decision-making and action within the complexity of the military and government structures. Explored through a complex ethical scenario, this work is illustrative of many important aspects of the process (such as moral sensitivity in military and government, moral reasoning, motivation, character, ...) as they are portrayed and examined through the decisions, judgements and actions of the various participants and stakeholders. This movie is very well paced and is supported by a stunning cast! The action scenes really make this into a thriller. Great to have Gavin Hood return to TIFF with this excellent work, ten years after "Tsotsi" made a splash here in Toronto!