Private Project

How I Got There

When two friends dabbling in the illegal alcohol trade find a cache of stolen guns, they see a once in a lifetime opportunity to get rich quick.

"How I Got There" is a dramatic action thriller, the first of its kind to be set in the Arabian Gulf, that takes the audience along with its naïve protagonists on a wild, nonlinear, ride through a murky world of arms dealers, terrorists, mercenaries and small-time gangsters. The film shows a colorful high energy version of modern Kuwait - a melting pot of peoples and cultures with a thriving rap scene.

"How I Got There" is an intimate story about a man’s journey to self-realization through inevitable self-destruction, set against a gritty reality, fast pace, humorous social commentary, and innovative action.

  • Zeyad (Z) Alhusaini
    Director
    Just Like You Imagined; The Pure
  • Zeyad (Z) Alhusaini
    Writer
    Just Like You Imagined; The Pure
  • Zeyad (Z) Alhusaini
    Producer
    Just Like You Imagined; The Pure
  • Abdul Aziz Al-Yaqout
    Producer
  • Hamzah Jamjoom
    Producer
  • Meshari Al-Awadhi
    Producer
  • Ronald Francis Perlman
    Key Cast
    "The Merc"
    Hellboy; Hellboy II: The Golden Army; The Name of the Rose; Pacific Rim; Balde II; Cronos; Alien Resurection; The City of Lost Children
  • Hamad Alomani
    Key Cast
    "Salim"
    Omniyat Baeeda; Om Al Banat
  • Yaqoob Abdullah
    Key Cast
    "Asad"
    Bain Al-Kanayen; Ghareeb Al Dar; Dofaat Al Qahira
  • Jaaved Jaaferi
    Key Cast
    "Raju"
    Salaam Namaste; Meri Jung; Bhoot Police; Bang Bang; City of Life;
  • Bobby Naderi
    Key Cast
    "Sedar"
    Black Summer; Bright; Argo; Fear the Walking Dead; Mossadegh
  • Rawan Mahdi
    Key Cast
    "Qairawan"
  • Hala Al Turk
    Key Cast
    "Dunia"
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    شيابني هني
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Genres:
    Dramedy, Action-Thriller
  • Runtime:
    2 hours 16 minutes 43 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 1, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    5,000,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Kuwait
  • Country of Filming:
    Kuwait, Mexico
  • Language:
    Arabic, English, Hindi
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Zeyad (Z) Alhusaini

Z is an award-winning director, both in the U.S. and internationally, with such acclaimed laurels as the 2004 New York Independent Film Festival New York Award, the 2000 New York International Independent Film Festival Audience Award, the 2004 Chicago International Short Film Festival Best Cinematography Award, 1998 Seguaro Film Festival Audience Award, the 2006 Arab Ad Award of the year, the 2007 Arab Ad Campaign Award of the year, and the 2008 Arab Ad Awards Grand Jury Prize. In 2013 Z’s commercials/campaigns won the Golden Award in three different categories at the AMF Advertising Creativity Awards.

In 2005, Z was selected to be part of the New Filmmakers Series at Anthology Film Archives in New York. In 2013, his feature screenplay of "How I Got There" was nominated for the prestigious IWC Award, headed by Cate Blanchett, at the Dubai International Film Festival. His debut feature film, based on the screenplay, won the Audience Award at the 2022 Red Sea International Film Festival. In 2015, he was appointed as the live action Producer of the highly regarded children’s show "Sesame Street" Middle East, "Iftah Ya Simsim". Zeyad was the creative director of the 2017 live finale of the widely popular show "Arab Idol", the Arabic version of the Smash hit show "American Idol".

In addition to his work in film, Z has directed music videos and commercials throughout the world. He shot for such clients as BMW, Land Rover, Vodafone, Celltel, Zain, STC, NBK, Viva and Mountain Dew amongst others. For much of his life, Z has lived in Spain, Kuwait and the United States. After serving in the first Gulf War at the age of only seventeen, Z received a scholarship to study film at the University of California at Berkeley. He later transferred to Arizona State, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. In 2002, Z earned his Master of Fine Arts in Film with Honors from Columbia University. He then pursued and completed his Ph.D. in Film and Philosophy. Z also holds several black belts in various martial arts.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

At the heart of this exciting adrenaline ride, there's an intimate story about a man’s journey to self-realization through inevitable self-destruction. This skewed existential theme is juxtaposed against a gritty reality, fast-paced, humorous social commentary and innovative action, creating a unique and commercial tone. A high concept, powerful cast, with cutting-edge production techniques and aesthetics, provides the perfect formula for delivering a highly-charged film with value far beyond its production budget.

Our main objective was to create a powerful regional film that would work artistically and commercially, locally and internationally, starting a cinema wave from the Arabian Gulf region that would bridge the gap between Arab cinematic culture and other cultures throughout the world. Delivering an elevated cinematic language, paving the way for a powerful regional film movement that could echo internationally.