The excitement around the annual Academy Awards grew over the weekend with the news that Theeb, a Jordanian film about a young Bedouin boy, received a nomination for best foreign language film.
The movie, co-produced in the UAE, features a cast of mostly Bedouin actors with no previous acting experience, which makes its significance all the more profound for the local film industry.
The nomination is a testament to the mark that Arab filmmakers are making. It also provides confirmation for independent filmmakers across the region that local stories resonate far beyond our borders. The language of film, after all, is universal.
This year has been a big one for the local film industry with the success of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and the Furious franchise. Indeed, Theeb follows in this vein having been supported by Sanad, Abu Dhabi’s film fund. Having carved out an Arab place at the Academy Awards table, is a win now too much to hope for?
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
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