A Jordanian/ Arabic film from a debuting director as one of the five nominees for this years' Oscar (and BAFTA) for best foreign film. Enough to pique curiosity, but would you actually want to invest an hour and a half in a tale with the following IMDb tag line: "In the Ottoman province of Hijaz during World War I, a young Bedouin boy experiences a greatly hastened coming-of-age as he embarks on a perilous desert journey to guide a British officer to his secret destination."
Well I just did, and the result was surprisingly gratifying.
Surprising, because some way into the film I was already wearying of the desert survival saga that seemed to be in store. Seen enough of survival stuff this season in The Revenant.
Gratifying, because the saga held up so well. The pace is deliberate, nothing much happens for long periods, but the backgrounds are rugged, the men are rough,.. .and the boy is mesmerizing after a while. You just want to see what happens to him next .
Naji Abu Nowar is a name to watch out for.
Well I just did, and the result was surprisingly gratifying.
Surprising, because some way into the film I was already wearying of the desert survival saga that seemed to be in store. Seen enough of survival stuff this season in The Revenant.
Gratifying, because the saga held up so well. The pace is deliberate, nothing much happens for long periods, but the backgrounds are rugged, the men are rough,.. .and the boy is mesmerizing after a while. You just want to see what happens to him next .
Naji Abu Nowar is a name to watch out for.