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IMDbPro

Backstabbing for Beginners

  • 20182018
  • RR
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
5.3K
YOUR RATING
Ben Kingsley and Theo James in Backstabbing for Beginners (2018)
Official Trailer
Play trailer1:48
1 Video
13 Photos
  • Drama
  • History
  • Romance
A young program coordinator at the United Nations stumbles upon a conspiracy involving Iraq's oil reserves.A young program coordinator at the United Nations stumbles upon a conspiracy involving Iraq's oil reserves.A young program coordinator at the United Nations stumbles upon a conspiracy involving Iraq's oil reserves.
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
5.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Per Fly
  • Writers
    • Per Fly(screenplay by)
    • Daniel Pyne(screenplay by)
    • Michael Soussan(based on the book by)
  • Stars
    • Theo James
    • Ben Kingsley
    • Belçim Bilgin
Top credits
  • Director
    • Per Fly
  • Writers
    • Per Fly(screenplay by)
    • Daniel Pyne(screenplay by)
    • Michael Soussan(based on the book by)
  • Stars
    • Theo James
    • Ben Kingsley
    • Belçim Bilgin
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 48User reviews
    • 30Critic reviews
    • 48Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Backstabbing for Beginners
    Trailer 1:48
    Backstabbing for Beginners

    Photos13

    Backstabbing for Beginners (2018)
    Jacqueline Bisset, Ben Kingsley, Belçim Bilgin, and Theo James in Backstabbing for Beginners (2018)
    Ben Kingsley and Theo James in Backstabbing for Beginners (2018)
    Ben Kingsley and Theo James in Backstabbing for Beginners (2018)
    Ben Kingsley and Theo James in Backstabbing for Beginners (2018)
    Jacqueline Bisset and Ben Kingsley in Backstabbing for Beginners (2018)
    Jacqueline Bisset and Ben Kingsley in Backstabbing for Beginners (2018)
    Jacqueline Bisset and Belçim Bilgin in Backstabbing for Beginners (2018)
    Jacqueline Bisset in Backstabbing for Beginners (2018)
    Belçim Bilgin in Backstabbing for Beginners (2018)
    Ben Kingsley, Belçim Bilgin, and Theo James in Backstabbing for Beginners (2018)
    Ben Kingsley, Belçim Bilgin, and Theo James in Backstabbing for Beginners (2018)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Theo James
    Theo James
    • Michaelas Michael
    Ben Kingsley
    Ben Kingsley
    • Pasha Pasarisas Pasha Pasaris
    Belçim Bilgin
    Belçim Bilgin
    • Nashim Hussanias Nashim Hussani
    Jacqueline Bisset
    Jacqueline Bisset
    • Christina Dupreas Christina Dupre
    Peshang Rad
    Peshang Rad
    • Hassanas Hassan
    Daniela Lavender
    Daniela Lavender
    • Ruth Zekra Kalas Ruth Zekra Kal
    Rachel Wilson
    Rachel Wilson
    • Lilyas Lily
    Rossif Sutherland
    Rossif Sutherland
    • Trevoras Trevor
    Brian Markinson
    Brian Markinson
    • Rasnetsovas Rasnetsov
    Aidan Devine
    Aidan Devine
    • Justin Cutteras Justin Cutter
    Karim Doukkali
    • Kurdish Ministeras Kurdish Minister
    Zahir Gilani
    Zahir Gilani
    • Bearded Manas Bearded Man
    Hattie Kragten
    Hattie Kragten
    • Kateas Kate
    Kardo Razzazi
    Kardo Razzazi
    • Abhekas Abhek
    Julie Khaner
    Julie Khaner
    • Melina Pasarisas Melina Pasaris
    Shauna MacDonald
    Shauna MacDonald
    • Reporteras Reporter
    Michael Man
    Michael Man
    • Archives Clerkas Archives Clerk
    Carlos Pinder
    Carlos Pinder
    • Taxi Driveras Taxi Driver
    • Director
      • Per Fly
    • Writers
      • Per Fly(screenplay by)
      • Daniel Pyne(screenplay by)
      • Michael Soussan(based on the book by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Josh Hutcherson was set to play the lead role in this movie, but when co-Writer and Director Per Fly informed him they would be shooting in Morocco and Jordan, Hutcherson dropped out because of safety reasons.
    • Quotes

      Pasha: The first rule of diplomacy is that the truth is not a matter of fact, it's a matter of consensus.

    • Soundtracks
      Self Portrait
      From the album Pop Music

      Written by Todor Kobakov

      Performed by Todor Kobakov

    User reviews48

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    Dramatic Tension Should Have Been Higher Here
    Apparently a fictionalized account of Michael Soussan's 2008 memoir of the same name. Theo James stars as Michael Sulliivan, a 24-year-old hired for a high position at the United Nations to help administer the Oil-for-Food program in Iraq after the First Gulf War. He'll be a Special Assistant to the Under-Secretary-General (Ben Kingsley).

    The seemingly naive Michael will soon find himself in the midst of massive corruption, kickbacks, yes-backstabbing, and even murder, with so many billions of dollars at stake. Some of the decision making by him and others had me often shaking my head in disbelief. Moving into the ridiculous, why did Kingsley's character "Pasha" find it necessary to use the "f" word in just about every sentence?

    Overall, just not enough dramatic tension here to make this a really engrossing movie. It did have its moments but I can't rate it higher than fair.
    helpful•25
    7
    • larrys3
    • Apr 25, 2018

    FAQ1

    • Is it based on a "True Story"?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 27, 2018 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Denmark
      • Canada
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Languages
      • English
      • Persian
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Cuộc Chiến Thương Trường
    • Filming locations
      • Casablanca, Morocco
    • Production companies
      • Creative Alliance
      • Eyeworks Scandi Fiction
      • Hoylake Capital
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $367,000
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 48 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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