Theeb and his elder brother Hussein from a Bedouin family, share a good bonding while living as part of their desert tribe, Howeitat who are pilgrim guides. One night, they have guests who knew their father Sheik, the tribe leader. The guests ask for guidance to reach their destination and Hussein is sent to help them navigate their way and Theeb tags along. There are events in store which test their faiths in brotherhood as they are left to fight for survival in the desert.
Language:
Arabic
Running Time:
100 min
Rating:
–
Release date:
06 November 2015
Directed by:
Naji Abu Nowar
Produced by:
Diala Al Raie
Bassel Ghandour
Nasser Kalaj
Yanal Kassay
Rupert Lloyd
Laith Majali
Nadine Toukan
Written by:
Naji Abu Nowar
Alice Winocour
Starring:
Jacir Eid Al-Hwietat
Hussein Salameh Al-Sweilhiyeen
Hassan Mutlag Al-Maraiyeh
Jack Fox
Music by:
Jerry Lane
Shot by:
Wolfgang Thalerk
Editing by:
Rupert Lloyd
Distributed by:
MAD Solutions

What’s Hot

  • The Director Naji Abu Nowar shows no signs of amateurism, this being his first film as he has really played well with human emotions in a fine drama. Brotherhood over survival – a delicate situation in any man’s life has been shrewdly shown on screen by him. When a kid is involved, it becomes more complex which has been handled with diligence as well!
  • The vast expanse of the Wadi Rum desert, where most of the story happens is picturesquely captured and the emptiness is palpable with the wide frames used by Wolfgang Thaler’s cinematography. With primarily static backdrops, timely camera movements used have been instrumental to tell part of the story.
  • When unexpected events happen to the characters on screen, the feel is brought down to the viewers with sharp sounds such as bullets fired out of the blue that ring in the ears, plonking buckets into water in the wells which don’t need correlating visuals. The sounds raised by raiders to keep the brothers awake at the ambush site, is notably well designed.

What’s Not

  • Though the core concept from the director is well translated on screen, the pace at which the events progress seem to raise concerns over the screenplay, which could have differently orchestrated. The ending in particular lacks impact probably due to the linear approach which appears to end abruptly.

Badges

Direction
Cinematography
Sound Design

Verdict

Verdict Stamp

Theeb, just like the intriguing nature of its title, delicately presents the story of a young desert semi-nomadic tribesman faced with life challenging situations. With delicate human emotions at the fore, the technical prowess overshadows the sluggish pace to make it an exquisite creation!