Directed by Naji Abu Nowar, 100mins
Theeb is a fantastic coming of age drama that tells the story of young Bedouin boy during the First World War who must guide a British Officer to a secret location through the perilous desert.
First time director Naji Abu Nowar evocatively and confidently mounts this film, drawing wonderfully sensitive and very authentic performances from a cast of non-actors; the only professional actor, Jack Fox, also gives a good performance. Actors are given space to inhabit and perform their characters whilst the camera watches on.
The film looks beautiful, with Director of Photography Wolfgang Thaler, framing scenes as though they belong in a Western; the score is terrific to boot.
All in all, this is a gripping and assured debut by a filmmaker and group of actors who I hope to see on the big screen again very soon.
Theeb is released August 14th.
