AFI Dallas International Film Festival - ‘Captain Abu Raed’

(Jordan, 2007, 110 mins)
In Arabic with English subtitles

Directed By: Amin Matalqa

The first independent film to come out of Jordan, Captain Abu Raed will be remembered for more than its historical significance. It is also a beautiful, life-affirming account of the power of storytelling and an ode to the ordinary people we meet who change our destiny.

Abu Raed is an old airport janitor who has always dreamed of seeing the world, but he has only experienced it through books and brief encounters with travelers. He befriends a group of children who show up at his door one morning wanting to hear about his adventures. Because he sports a discarded captain’s hat, they all think he was an airline pilot. As their relationships deepen, Abu Raed discovers the grim realities of their lives and tries to make a difference.

With Jordan as a backdrop, the film glows rich in hue and texture, and director Amin Matalqa is an expert at drafting a wide range of human characters to fill the screen.

Information from the AFI website