Theeb (2014)

Theeb: Directed by Naji Abu Nowar. With Jacir Eid Al-Hwietat, Hassan Mutlag Al-Maraiyeh, Hussein Salameh Al-Sweilhiyeen, Jack Fox. In the Ottoman province of Hijaz during World War I, a young Bedouin boy experiences a greatly hastened coming-of-age as he embarks on a perilous desert journey to guide a British officer to his secret destination.

“This film tells the story of a young boyu0026#39;s awakening to the dangers and treachery in the adult world. He lives in a time of change, during the last days of the Ottoman Empire, and the coming of a railway has already changed the lives of the tribesmen of the area. There are bigger things going on around them, than these tribesmen, living out their traditional lives, actually realize. One day Theebu0026#39;s older brother is approached by another Arab who is guiding an Englishman, in a desert crossing. The stranger wants Hussein, older brother of Theeb to escort them through an area that heu0026#39;s not familiar with. Theeb tags along, and from events that take place on this journey comes his rapid advancement into manhood. The desert settings shot in wide-screen ratio are superb. Itu0026#39;s the dawn of a new age, unbeknown to Theeb and his brothers, sons of a departed but highly respected Sheik. The performances are excellent, particularly the intelligent wariness tinged with fear, that young Jacir Eid Al-Hwietat shows, playing Theeb (Wolf). You can read in his eyes,and face that his sharp mind is calculating the risks of alternative courses of action during the several scenes when events reach crisis points.From watching this young man, we understand that the life of desert tribesmen involved strong traditions, a strong sense of hospitality to other travelers (once identified and shown not to be a threat), and the sharp sense of self protection that must always be at 100% efficiency.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eItu0026#39;s always wonderful to see a well-made film like this, but itu0026#39;s a special treat when the events are happening in a place and time, that is unfamiliar to us on screens of today. u0026quot;Theebu0026quot; reminds us of Lawrence of Arabia, because of itu0026#39;s setting, but the film is on a much more modest scale than that Epic masterpiece. However, it is very well worth our attention. Highly recommended, this is a very good film for young adults as well as for their parents.”