Theeb – 4PM

Screening: Wednesday, March 2, 2016 – 4pm
Location: Uptown Theatre, 55 Dunlop Street West, Barrie
Directed by: Naji Abu Nowar
Cast: Jacir Eid, Hassan Mutlag, Hussein Salameh, Jack Fox and Marji Audeh
Drama/Adventure, PG for restrained portrayals of non-graphic violence, 100 minutes, Arabic with English Subtitles (United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, UK)

“A disarmingly complex boyhood adventure with no shortage of tension or harsh beauty, ‘Theeb’ marks a winning debut feature for co-writer and director Naji Abu Nowar.” – Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times

“The burden rests on Eid’s shoulders, and he more than carries it. He’s a natural, showing us Theeb’s curiosity, loyalty and ingenuity while still retaining the innocence of a boy who has been sheltered from the world outside the desert.” – Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic

Arabia, 1916. Theeb (Theeb means wolf in Arabic) lives with his Bedouin tribe in a forgotten corner of the Ottoman Empire. Having recently lost his 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.

Awards:

Nominated, Best Foreign Language Film, Academy Awards, 2016
Nominated, Best Film not in the English Language, Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer, BAFTA Awards, 2016
Won, Best Narrative/Best Film From Arab World, Abu Dhabi Film Festival, 2014
Won, Forward Future Award-Best Picture by New Director, Beijing International Film Festival, 2015
Won, Best Cinematography and Artistic Direction, Cairo International Film Festival, 2014
Won, Best Directional Debut, Cameriage, 2014
Won, Audience Award-Best Script/Best Film, FEST International Film Festival, 2015
FEST International Film Festival, 2015
Nominated, Audience Award, Glasgow Film Festival, 2015
Nominated, First Feature Competition, London Film Festival, 2014