Captain Abu Raed

A Jordanian movie? that's the first thing that popped in my head when I first heard about this at the Sundance film festival which as everyone knows is a very prestigious indie festival, because I've seen all kinds of Arabic films:Algerian, Lebanese, Palestinian but never heard of an international Jordanian movie and that's basically what made me interested and asking and searching for it,and thank god I did because I discovered an Arabic master piece of humanity ,beauty,love,perseverance, sacrifice, devotion and hope all in one man who has one goal an life: to see people happy and living their dreams although he didn't and wasn't disappointed about that he was a saint and he preferred to die than to be contaminated with the vices of society, he only saw goodness in people and made up excuses for bad people. maybe some would say he was living in an imaginary unreal world but he chose it rather than living in despair after his child and wife's death, he refused to take the easy way because real saints can't be turned into demons and taking that easy road would have made him one. abu raed is the symbol of true love and hope. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BRILLIANT WORK

With a little more attention to avoiding idealistic romanticism (without losing smiling atmosphere of the drama) and with a more intense scenario, this movie could certainly be a masterpiece. Nevertheless, it's not an unsuccesful movie. It presents a stronge panoramic feeling on viewing eastern societies' humanistic values in daily life without exagerrating and shoots adverse instances, as well. --- Everyone should meet Captain Abu Raed, the old wise man and should attend his storytelling dreams.

I went to see the film just out of curiosity. I was in for a surprise - a rather pleasant one. This is a great movie from many a viewpoint. The actors, the subject, the photography, the editing and the atmosphere. Looking at it as the first Jordanian feature film (even though many of those who worked on it are not Jordanian) I find it truly great. Looking at it globally, as an international film, I still find it well above average - much better anyway than many low grade Hollywood movies. I only have two regrets. The film would have had an even greater impact if it was some 20 or 25 minutes shorter. The music: although beautiful, well interpreted and recorded, it does not seem very appropriate for such an intimate film; by moments at least. It seems to have been composed for some kind of huge, mega production the likes of Gladiator or Troy and such. Other than that it is, again, a very fine movie and I truly enjoyed it.

I saw this movie at Sundance 2008 and was thrilled to learn that it was showing at the AFI Film Festival in Dallas. I didn't hesitate for a second to buy a 2nd ticket! Once it's released in theaters, I'll be purchasing my third ticket and insisting that my friends attend with me. We were lucky enough to hear the director speak at both showings which added so much to the experience. Learning that most of the children were cast from children who were living in a refugee camp was quite surprising. The performances of the children were first rate. Nadim Sawalha who played Captain Abu Raed was outstanding as well. In addition, the backdrop for the movie - Amman - was magical. This movie is a must see!

I am a judge for the Indianapolis-based Heartland Film Festival. This feature film is a Crystal Heart Award Winner and is eligible to be the Grand Prize Winner in October of 2008. The Heartland Film Festival is a non-profit that honors Truly Moving Pictures. A Truly Moving Picture "…explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life." Raed is an elderly, Jordanian man who seems to be a simple janitor at an airport. But things change for him when he finds a discarded Captain's hat that he wears home. The neighborhood children promote him to a world savy pilot and he promotes himself to being an excellent and imaginative storyteller.

But Raed is not a simple man. We slowly find out that he is wise and well read. And, he has suffered tragedies in his life that would break most men and make them bitter. Raed resists being morose and adds positively to the world around him. He is kind to strangers, he mentors children with exploitive parents, and he makes other's lives easier and more fun.

But this wouldn't be much of a story if there weren't a strong conflict. Next door to Raed there is a family dominated by a husband and father who is a wife-beater, child-beater, and drunk. What can an old man do to help? It reminds one of the quote – "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." Raed is a good man of courage and sacrifice. He does something.

FYI – There is a Truly Moving Pictures web site where there is a listing of past Truly Moving Picture Award winners that are now either at the theater or available on video.