All Projects

Theeb

Spring Grant 2013 - Production Stage

Naji Abu Nowar / Feature Narrative / Jordan, United Kingdom, Qatar, United Arab Emirates / 2014 / 100 min / Colour / Original Language: Arabic, English / Interests: Drama, Middle Eastern, Western, Adventure

Synopsis

Arabia, 1916. Theeb [Wolf] lives with his Bedouin tribe in a forgotten corner of the Ottoman Empire. As they have recently lost their father, it falls to Theeb’s brother, Hussein, to raise him. Hussein tries to teach Theeb the Bedouin way of life, but the young boy is more interested in mischief than mentorship. Their lives are interrupted with the arrival of a British Army Officer and his guide on a mysterious mission. Unable to refuse help to his guests for fear of dishonouring his late father’s reputation, Hussein agrees to escort the pair to their destination, a water-well on the old pilgrimage route to Mecca. Fearful of losing his brother, Theeb chases after Hussein and embarks on a treacherous journey across the Arabian Desert. Since the outbreak of the First World War, this harsh terrain has become the hunting ground of Ottoman mercenaries, Arab revolutionaries and outcast Bedouin raiders. If Theeb is to survive he must quickly learn about adulthood, trust and betrayal. He must live up to the name his father gave him.

Official Film Website

Credits

Director

Naji Abu Nowar

Screenwriter

Naji Abu Nowar, Bassel Ghandour

Producer

Bassel Ghandour, Rupert Lloyd

Executive Producer

Nadine Toukan

Production Company

Bayt Al Shawareb, Noor Pictures

About the Director

Naji Abu Nowar was born in the UK and lives and works in Amman. He wrote and directed the short film ‘Death of a Boxer’ (2009), which screened at international film festivals in Palm Springs, Dubai and Miami. ‘Theeb’, his feature film debut, premiered at the 71st Venice Film Festival, where he was named Best Director in the Orizzonti section. The film also won a Black Pearl Award at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, and Abu Nowar was named ‘Variety’ magazine’s Arab Filmmaker of the Year in 2014.

Awards and Festival History

Festivals

Toronto International Film Festival 2014, Discovery
Asia Pacific Film Festival 2014, The Colours of Asia Pacific

Awards

Best Director, Venice Film Festival 2014, Orizzonti (WP)
Nominee for the Best Foreign Language Film, Academy Awards 2016
Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer for writer/director Naji Abu Nowar and producer Rupert Lloyd, British Ac

Contacts

• Main Contact

  Bassel Ghandour

  Company: 

  Bayt Al Shawareb

  Phone: 

  +962 795 522 623

  Email: 

  basselghandour@gmail.com

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