Theeb

100 minutes

Arabic

Jordan
United Arab Emirates
Qatar
U.K.

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 to a water well located along the old pilgrimage route to Mecca. So as not to dishonor his recently deceased father, Hussein agrees to lead them on the long and treacherous journey. The young, mischievous Theeb secretly chases after his brother, but the group soon find themselves trapped amidst threatening terrain riddled with Ottoman mercenaries, Arab revolutionaries, and outcast Bedouin raiders. Naji Abu Nowar's powerful and assured directorial debut, set in the land of Lawrence of Arabia, is a wondrous "Bedouin Western" about a boy who, in order to survive, must become a man and live up to the name his father gave him.

starring...

Jacir Eid Al-Hwietat

Theeb

Hussein Salameh Al-Sweilhiyeen

Hussein

Hassan Mutlag Al-Maraiyeh

The Stranger

Jack Fox

Edward

Director

Naji Abu Nowar

Writers

Naji Abu Nowar, Bassel Ghandour

Cinematography

Wolfgang Thaler

Editing

Rupert Lloyd

Music

Jerry Lane

Production Design

Anna Lavelle

Art Direction

Samy Keilani

Producer

Bassel Ghandour, Rupert Lloyd

85% on the CINEMETER

MIL

80% - Nov 1, 2015

Well-made film. Interesting perspective on a specific time in history.
Milwaukee Member

Slow but beautiful.
Milwaukee Member

Thank you for sharing a film from this part of the world. Excellent cinema is coming out of the Middle East. We need to see it to expand our cinematic panorama. Political story told through the eyes of a children often resonates more with an international audience.
Milwaukee Member

ATL

86% - Nov 1, 2015

An extraordinarily beautiful film. The acting and cinematography and especially the music were superb. Great insight into an interesting culture and period of history--now faded into the past.
Atlanta Member

Such a good depiction of what it is like to be a child, with only part of the information needed to survive. We are the adults watching the film, yet we don't know exactly what is going on either.
Atlanta Member

I've never seen a Jordanian film before but I won't hesitate to see another one. I loved the musical score.
Atlanta Member

89% - Oct 25, 2015

A vivid portrayal of how violence begets violence. Interesting use of silence in many scenes - a subtle touch.
San Francisco Member

A beautifully photographed coming-of-age film of a Bedouin boy - we root for him throughout. Amazing achievement for non-actors to play these roles.
San Francisco Member

Gorgeous, magical cinematography - but I hate revenge even if the story calls for it. Sweeping music was effective if sometimes too much.
San Francisco Member

Kept wondering where Clint Eastwood was. An "Eastern" to rival "High Noon." Young Theeb is a budding Gary Cooper.
San Francisco Member

A view into a Bedouin culture I knew little about - highlighted the importance of "brotherhood" and integrity.
San Francisco Member

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