Jake Gyllenhaal has made a lot of critically acclaimed military films like Jarhead, American Sniper, Brothers, and more. The latest in the line is The Covenant directed by Guy Ritchie. Along with Gyllenhaal, the movie also stars Dar Salim. In The Covenant, Jake Gyllenhaal plays U.S. Army Master Sgt. John Kinley, while Dar Salim portrays Ahmed, his Afghan interpreter.
Their bond grows after Kinley’s unit is ambushed by the Taliban and Ahmed does everything possible to rescue them. However, when Ahmed isn’t granted a safe passage to America, it’s Kinley’s time to repay the debt and do everything he can to keep his promise. Both the actors were at an Army Base to promote and screen their film.
Jake Gyllenhaal And Dar Salim Explored The U.S. Army Base
People magazine reported that Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim went to a U.S. Army Base to meet and learn from real soldiers as well as screen their film, The Covenant, there. The event was hosted by the USO (United Service Organizations) at Fort Irwin, California. The two stars of the film arrived in a Black Hawk helicopter and then met the service members. They then toured the National Training Center of the U.S. Army.
The site reported that Jake Gyllenhaal thanked the soldiers and the Army in his USO press release. He said, “I am honored and incredibly grateful to have visited the real-life heroic men and women at Fort Irwin and witness firsthand their unparalleled training facility, equipment, and dedication as they ensure our freedom.”
Dar Salim said in the USO release, “It was a huge pleasure and learning experience meeting the service men and women and seeing firsthand the unique and impressive scope of Fort Irwin.” The duo have been busy promoting the film and in an interview, Gyllenhaal revealed where he drew inspiration for his character.
Jake Gyllenhaal Narrated A Real-Life Incident That Made Him Do The Covenant
In an interview with Deadline, Jake Gyllenhaal narrated a real-life case that’s similar to what gets portrayed in the Guy Ritchie-directed film. The actor explained that one of the reasons why he wanted to do the film was because of that. He said:
“One of my closest friends is a Marine who fought in Fallujah in a number of different battles in that war and is very active now. He’s now the head of emergency services in New York City and he and his interpreter, who was an enormous part of his history in the military and his experience.”
He further elaborated that his friend helped bring two daughters of the interpreter back to New York City to give them a better life. Gyllenhaal said:
“I don’t want to speak for him, but you know he brought his (the interpreter’s) two daughters over back to New York to basically help change their life, you know, got them visas and they’re now committed to working for New York City. You know, he actually was a real reason for me and inspiration and why this story means so much.”
Dar Salim said that he loved starring in the movie because “It’s very rare to see a film where you have two people who are like two men from different cultures in a world where often all the things that divide us are really what the focus is on.”
He also said that working with Jake Gyllenhaal and Guy Ritchie was reason enough in itself to do the film. The movie has been receiving rave reviews and now it remains to be seen how it ultimately does at the box office.
The Covenant is in theaters now.
