Loading ...Jordanian Film “Theeb” Wins Academy Award Nomination for Best Foreign Language Film
This morning the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that the Jordanian film Theeb by director Naji Abu Nowar, was nominated as one of five films for Best Foreign Language Film. The winner being announced at the 88th Academy Awards on February 28th.
Abu Nowar’s film is a quietly gripping adventure tale that follows Theeb, a young boy who sets off on a dangerous journey across the desert at the height of World War I in 1916. While war rages in the Ottoman Empire, Hussein raises his younger brother Theeb (“Wolf”) in a traditional Bedouin community that is isolated by the vast, unforgiving desert. The brothers’ quiet existence is suddenly interrupted when a British Army officer and his guide ask Hussein to escort them on a treacherous journey. The young, mischievous Theeb secretly chases after the travelers, but they soon find themselves trapped amidst threatening terrain riddled with mercenaries, revolutionaries, and outcast raiders, forcing Theeb to live up to the name given to him by his father.
In a recent interview late last year with Arab America, Naji Abu Nowar, director of the film, noted that the film is a reflection of Bedouin culture which has persisted until today. “In Bedouin culture, they put an emphasis on hospitality and looking after guests, it’s not even a tradition, it’s a law, very important.” said Abu Nowar,
With his directorial debut, Naji Abu Nowar impressed international audiences and brought a taste of Jordanian cinema to the world. Featured in film festivals from over 20 countries, Theeb has won numerous awards, including Best Director at Venice Film Festival’s Orizzonti (New Horizons) competition; the Jury Prize for Best Cinematography and Artistic Direction at the Cairo Film Festival; Best Screenplay at the Miami Film Festival; Best Film from the from the Arab World and the FIRPRESCI prize for best Narrative Film at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival.
Theeb will compete for the Oscar with four other nominees; Embrace of the Serpent (Columbia), Mustang (France), Son of Saul (Hungary), and A War (Denmark).
To see a complete list of nominees click here
Arab America