THEEB

Wadi Rum, 1916. The Bedouin boy Theeb (Jacir Eid) lives with his elder brother Hussein after their father’s death. When a British officer and his Arab companion arrive at the camp needing a guide to an old Roman well, Hussein takes on the task – and Theeb secretly follows them into the desert. The route leads through territory held by bandits, and the adventure turns into a fight for survival in which the boy must hold his own alone. “Theeb” (Jordan 2014) by Naji Abu Nowar is set during the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire.

Shot in Wadi Rum, where David Lean filmed “Lawrence of Arabia”, with Bedouin non-professionals in almost every role: a coming-of-age story in the form of an adventure film. It premiered in 2014 in Venice in the Orizzonti section, winning the award for Best Director; the first Jordanian film to be nominated for the Foreign Language Oscar; BAFTA for Best Debut. It was shown at Around the World in 14 Films in Berlin in 2015.

Shown at the 2015 edition of Around the World in 14 Films.

All films 2015 · Film Archive