Syrian war film 'Palmyra' is set to be released in 2022. Vimeo
Syrian war film 'Palmyra' is set to be released in 2022. Vimeo
Syrian war film 'Palmyra' is set to be released in 2022. Vimeo
Syrian war film 'Palmyra' is set to be released in 2022. Vimeo

Film

'Palmyra': first trailer for new Syrian war film has been released

The film tells the story of a Syrian Explosive Ordnance Disposal team tasked with clearing the ancient city of Palmyra of explosives left behind by ISIS militants

Sophie Prideaux
Sophie Prideaux

June 10, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

The first trailer for new Syrian war film Palmyra has been released.

Slated for a 2022 release, the film tells the story of a Syrian Explosive Ordnance Disposal team tasked with clearing the ancient city of Palmyra of explosives left behind by ISIS militants, ahead of a concert to be held by the orchestra of maestro Valery Gergiev at the historic site.

The action-filled trailer shows the film's impressive special effects, promising plenty of tense moments as the team painstakingly clear the site mile by mile, with the explosions getting more frequent as they near the centre of Palmyra.

Directed by Andrei Kravchuk, Palmyra is being produced by Russian director and producer Alexey Uchitel's Rock House Films. It is currently in post-production.

"Everybody has heard of the shocking destruction in the Syrian city of Palmyra that was one of the most important cultural centres of the ancient world," Uchitel said in an interview with Variety magazine.

"It was part of ISIS's ongoing campaign against archaeology. Leaving the city, the military group left numerous hidden explosives, and the protagonists of our story are there to clear the site, step by step, risking their lives."

The film was initially set to be shot in Syria, but after a visit to the war-torn country, Uchitel made the decision to film in Crimea, instead.

Kravchuk told the industry publication: "I hope that the film will surprise the viewers not only with special effects and production value, but also with an incredible human story."

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Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

While you're here
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

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Biography

Her family: She has four sons, aged 29, 27, 25 and 24 and is a grandmother-of-nine

Favourite book: Flashes of Thought by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid

Favourite drink: Water

Her hobbies: Reading and volunteer work

Favourite music: Classical music

Her motto: I don't wait, I initiate

 

 

 

 

 

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