Invasion of Qatar is a Canadian feature-length mockumentary, running 1 hour, 15 minutes and 40 seconds, directed and produced by Greg Crompton. Written by Alastair Forbes and Heather Marie Annis, the film combines comedy and social satire with a reflection on the boundaries between sport, spectacle and personal identity.
The story follows Alax Frobez, played by Alastair Forbeshimself, on his journey to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The protagonist has a twofold objective: to invade the pitch during a match before being arrested and, at the same time, reconnect with his father, a former pitch invader made famous by his stadium exploits. The plot thus interweaves a passion for football with the theme of a family search, highlighting the contradictions between personal ambition and emotional responsibilities, embodied by his pregnant wife left in Canada.
While using the form of a sports documentary, Invasion of Qatar adopts ironic, surreal tones, drawing inspiration from works such as Borat and Best in Show. Through absurd situations and moments of grotesque comedy, the film investigates the need for attention and belonging that often accompanies football and its fans.
The film was shot between Canada and Qatar with a budget of 150,000 Canadian dollars. Director Greg Crompton, already the author of Eddy’s Kingdom and BC Was Awesome, also produces with Heather Marie Annis and Alastair Forbes, both active in Canadian film and television (Workin’ Moms, What We Do in the Shadows). The film was completed on 27 May 2025.
Film Information
Title: Invasion of Qatar
Original title: Invasion of Qatar
Director: Greg Crompton
Production: Greg Crompton, Heather Marie Annis, Alastair Forbes
Country: Canada
Language: English
Running time: 1 hour 15 minutes 40 seconds
Genre: Mockumentary, comedy
Sport featured: Football
Protagonist(s): Alastair Forbes (“Alax/Alastair”), Heather Marie Annis
Completion date: 27 May 2025
Premiere: [Not specified]
Distributor: [Not specified]
Shooting format: Digital, 16:9, colour
Director’s first film: No
Student project: No