Jordanian film Theeb has been chosen to participate in the 71st Venice International Film Festival’s competition Orizzonti.
A feature film by Jordanian filmmaker Naji Abu Nowar, the project was supported by the Abu Dhabi Film Festival’s Sanad fund when work began on the project in 2011. It also received a further grant for post-production in 2013 from Sanad as well as support from the Doha Film Institute and the Southeastern Swiss Fund, Roa.
Theeb is set in the Arabian Peninsula in 1916, and tells the story of a boy named Theeb who is living among a tribe in a forgotten corner of the Ottoman Empire. Following the death of his Shaikh father, his brother Hussain takes responsibility to teach him the principles of nomadic life. After a mysterious visit from a British Army officer and his guide, the pace of life in the tribe changes. Fearing for the reputation of his late father, Hussain agrees to accompany the officer and his guide to their destination, with Theeb tagging along.
The film was shot in the desert of southern Jordan where the production team cast a number of actors from the Bedouin tribes.
Director Abu Nowar started his career in 2005, where he was among the graduates of Rawi Screenwriters’ Lab in Jordan. In 2009, he wrote and directed his first short film titled Death of a Boxer, which was screened at a number of film festivals, including the Palm Springs International Shortfest, Miami Short Film Festival and the Dubai International Film Festival.
The Venice Film Festival runs until September 6.
