Jordan sends Naji Abu Nowar's 'Theeb' to Oscar shortlist for best film in a foreign language. This is the second time that this country seeks the nomination for the Academy Award, formerly known as best foreign film.
Jordan's first and only representation so far in the Oscar preselection it had been in 2008 when he sent the film 'Captain Abu Raed' ('Captain Abu Raed') by Amin Matalqa, a film that didn't even make the first cut.
This time Jordan will try his luck with 'Theeb', Naji Abu Nowar's film that was present at the last Venice Film Festival in the Orizzonti section, where it won the award for best director. The film has also been very successful in other competitions such as the Abu Dhabi Festival in which it won the awards for the best film in the Arab world and the Fipresci Prize or Cairo Festival where he won the jury award for best photography and artistic direction.
Set in Arabia in 1916, 'Theeb' tells the story of Theeb who lives with his Bedouin tribe in a forgotten corner of the Ottoman Empire. After the death of his father Theeb he is cared for by his brother Hussein. Their lives are cut short by the arrival of a British Army officer and his guide who arrive on a secret mission.