"Captain Abu Raed" Joins Oscar Race

I’ve been a big fan of Captain Abu Raed ever since I first watched the film and talked with director Amin Matalqa. It’s the touching story of an airport janitor who’s mistaken for an airline pilot by a group of kids living in his neighborhood. As he begins to weave fantastic stories for the kids, something bigger and more powerful begins to happen in all of their lives.

Now the film — the first to come out of Jordan — has been selected to represent the country at the 81st Annual Academy Awards, scheduled for Feb. 22, 2009 in Hollywood.

More after the jump…

“These are exciting times,” notes H.E. Mr. Munir Nassar, Chairman of the Oscar Submission Committee for Jordan. “The mere fact that a Jordanian film will be submitted for the first time is an indication that the film industry in Jordan has matured.”

Excellent news. Truly, if you have an opportunity to see this film, you must see it. I’m rooting for you, Amin!

Image: Captain Abu Raed, David Pritchard Productions, 2007