MAD Solutions Handles Theatrical Distribution and Marketing for Theeb in the Arab World

MAD Solutions Handles Theatrical Distribution and Marketing for Theeb in the Arab World

MAD Solutions has announced that they will be handling the marketing and distribution of the new feature-length film Theeb, holding the film's theatrical distribution rights across the Arab World.

Theeb received Best Director Award for Naji Abu Nowar at Orizzonti (New Horizons) Competition within the 71st Venice Film Festival, where it had its world premiere, marking the film's first award. Following this, Theeb will be featured at the 39th Toronto International Film Festival in September, 2014. In October, 2014, the film will screen as part of the 58th BFI London Film Festival.

Film Analyst, Alaa Karkouti, CEO at MAD Solutions, commented, "Theeb is one of the most important film productions in the Arab world of the past few years. This new partnership marks a step forward within the framework of the company's strategy to screen significant films from across the Arab world annually in theatres and other screening venues and platforms."

Writer and producer Bassel Ghandour, founder of Bayt Al Shawareb, stated, "We have a new vision for Arab cinema, and we are excited to collaborate with MAD Solutions who share the same passion and vision; making it the perfect marketing and distribution liaison to handle Theeb with their bold new approach, which will be a key to reaching the regional audience."

Theeb is a 100-minute desert adventure film which delves into the forgotten sand dunes of Arab history. Written and directed by Jordanian Naji Abu Nowar, the film is his feature directorial debut. The project was first started in 2010 and received a sponsorship from the Abu Dhabi Sanad Fund, the Doha Film Institute as well as the Visions Sud Est Fund.

The film is co-produced by Bayt Al Shawareb, which was founded by Jordanian writer and producer Bassel Ghandour, in association with Rupert Lloyd's Noor Pictures and Immortal Entertainment along with Nasser Kalaji and Laith Majali. Nadine Toukan is the Executive Producer of the film.

Set in the Arabian Desert of 1916, the film follows Theeb, a young Bedouin boy and his elder brother Hussein, as they leave the safety of their tribe to venture on a treacherous journey at the dawn of the Great Arab Revolt. If Theeb is to survive, he must quickly learn about adulthood, trust and betrayal.

Theeb was shot in the deserts of southern Jordan. The film was the result of the collaboration between the filmmakers and the local Bedouin communities. The vast majority of the cast was pulled from the local tribesmen, who were given acting workshops during the eight months prior to principal photography. Co-scripted by Bassel Ghandour and director Naji Abu Nowar, Theeb stars Jacir Eid opposite Hussein Salameh, Hassan Mutlag, along with Marji Audeh and Jack Fox.

Theeb is co-produced by Bayt Al Shawareb, which was founded by Jordanian writer and producer Bassel Ghandour, in association with Rupert Lloyd's Noor Pictures and co-produced by Immortal Entertainment's Nasser Kalaji and Laith Majali. Nadine Toukan is the Executive Producer of the film.

Combining an international professional team, the film's crew also includes Wolfgang Thaler, an award-winning Austrian Director of Photography. Meanwhile, the film's score is composed by British Composer Jerry Lane, the set was created by British Production Designer Anna Lavelle, and Rupert Lloyd, also British, worked on the film's editing.

Theeb marks Naji Abu Nowar's second directorial effort and his first feature length feature film. The aspiring director started his cinematic career in 2005 when he graduated from RAWI Screenwriters Lab, an initiative of the Royal Film Commission of Jordan created in conjunction with Sundance Institute's Feature Film Program. In 2009, he wrote and directed his first short Death of a Boxer, which has been screened in several international film festivals, including Palm Springs International Shortfest,
Miami Short Film Festival, Dubai International Film Festival and the Franco-Arab Film Festival.