Gripping documentary sheds new light on extraordinary chapter of the Gulf War
The fantastic new feature documentary Flight 149: Hostage of War directed by Stern & Wild filmmaker Jenny Ash is set to air on Sky and streaming service NOW tomorrow 11 June.
The film tells the extraordinary story of the nearly 400 passengers and crew of BA Flight 149, who unknowingly landed in Kuwait just hours after the Iraqi invasion began in 1990 - and were taken hostage by Saddam Hussein to be used as human shields. Why, the film asks, was the plane allowed to land?
Premiering to critical acclaim at SXSW 2025, Flight 149: Hostage of War has already been widely praised in the press in the run up to its Sky launch. It was hailed as ‘a gripping and beautifully made new documentary’ in The Telegraph and was the Sunday Times Critics’ Choice this weekend: ‘It unfolds with the pace and intrigue of a prestige thriller.’ Jenny recently talked about the plight of the hostages in a recent interview in Deadline and brought the story to a wider audience last week in an interview with Dom Joly for Times Radio (the interview starts at 02.19.49). Catch her being interviewed tomorrow morning on Radio 4’s Today.
A Drum Studios production for Sky, the film was originated, written and directed by Jenny Ash. Producers are Andy Holland, Helen McClure, Mowaffaq Safadi and Lucy Towers. Executive Producers are Sam Bagnall, Laura Botten, Mark Henderson, Karen Kelly, Poppy Dixon, Vesna Cudic and Tom Barry.
At a special screening last night, several of the hostages who appear in the film joined Jenny for a powerful discussion about the government cover-up, their ongoing fight for the truth, and the lasting trauma of their ordeal. We salute their bravery.
L-R: Exec producer Karen Kelly leads the discussion with ex-hostages Barry Manners and Jennifer Chappell, diplomat Tony Paice, lawyer Matthew Jury and director Jenny Ash
Karen Kelly and Barry Manners discuss the hostage’s ordeal
Stern & Wild filmmaker Rajesh Thind joins other guests at the screening
The wonderful Jenny Ash