Amader Brahmanbaria.com
AL-SHAKRIYEH, Jordan: A coming-of-age drama set among Bedouin tribesmen roaming the desert is the first Oscar contender produced by Jordan’s nascent film industry.
Jacir Eid Al-Hwietat, who played Theeb, is now 15, attends 10th grade and has revised his career plans, from police officer to actor. “I’m a celebrity among my friends now,” said Jacir, who has morphed from a boy with a sweet smile into a guarded teen.
His cousin, Hussein Salameh Al-Sweilhiyeen, who played Theeb’s brother Hussein, is back to racing camels and working as a tourist guide. Since Theeb, he has appeared in a German TV documentary about Wadi Rum and a Jordanian tourism commercial, and said he would like to do more acting.
Al-Hwietat became the local point man for the filmmakers, Naji Abu Nowar and Bassel Ghandour, who produced the film and co-wrote the script.
Jacir and local resident Hassan Mutlaq Al-Maraiyeh, who plays the film’s villain, will be attending Sunday’s ceremony, along with the director, producers and cinematographer.
Jacir will be wearing a traditional Bedouin robe on the red carpet, albeit one made by a Jordanian fashion designer, said Ghandour.
“We want the star to get all the attention because he deserves it,” he said of Jacir’s planned attire.
“Theeb” (Wolf), set in 1916, tells the story of a playful 11-year-old Bedouin boy of the same name who gets caught up in his tribe’s alliance with the British against Ottoman rulers during the era’s Arab Revolt.
Billed as a “Bedouin Western” and an authentic portrayal of Bedouin culture, Theeb is one of five movies nominated for best foreign language film. The decision will be announced at Sunday’s awards ceremony.
