The film centers on a young boy originating from a remote area of the Middle East. From the moment I started watching, I was certain this would be an Oscar contender, and yesterday's (January 14, 2016) Academy announcement confirmed that suspicion. The filmmaker, having studied in the West, returned to their homeland to create films exploring native culture and history—a path previously taken with the Ethiopian film 'Difret,' which portrayed disturbing cultural practices on screen. These kinds of movies are real treasures, something not commonly found in Japanese, English, German, or Russian cinema due to differences in culture, history, and geography. The story unfolds in 1916, exactly a century ago. The arid desert setting and gunfights give it the feel of a Western movie. It's about a young boy named Theeb who gets separated from his older brother while guiding a British officer to a secret location and must then navigate challenges to return safely to his tribe. The film’s focus remains solely on Theeb, placing him amidst tensions related to World War I and internal conflicts concerning pilgrims. While the specifics of these events are unclear—particularly for those unfamiliar with the region's history—it is evident that the British officer is searching for his regiment. These elements function as secondary storylines, while the boy’s struggle takes center stage, presented through his perspective. It's a straightforward narrative, but everything is conveyed through actions rather than dialogue. > "The strong eat the weak." While there is violence in the story, it isn't as graphic as seen in some major Hollywood depictions of the World Wars. Given the timeline and revolutionary context, this feels appropriate, especially considering a child’s involvement. I don't know if it's based on actual events, but the portrayal felt authentic, which ultimately proved very effective. The film doesn't feel like a typical Middle Eastern production; instead, it resembles a Hollywood or British movie that incorporated local actors and dialogue. Several factors contributed to this impression, including the impressive musical score and stunning landscapes—comparable to the visual scope of 'The Martian,' although with actual desert scenery rather than CGI. The film is entirely in Arabic, with only a few lines in English. It’s not about religion or culture but about survival and revenge. Interestingly, the story shares the same year as ‘Lawrence of Arabia.’ I sense a connection between them, not officially acknowledged, but similar to how WWI and WWII films often have thematic links. Both are rooted in the Arab revolution, suggesting this film offers a different perspective on the events depicted in 'Lawrence of Arabia,' albeit on a smaller scale. I initially worried it might be overrated, like last year’s Oscar nominee ‘Timbuktu.’ However, I'm glad to find that it is considerably better; the initial 10-15 minutes served as an introduction to what follows. The film boasts exceptional writing and beautiful cinematography, demonstrating a level of skill unexpected from a debuting director. It represents a commendable effort from both the cast and crew, and their Oscar nomination is well deserved. I highly recommend that you watch this excellent movie. 8/10

Source on TMDB