Wajib (Arabic: واجب Wājib, "Duty") is a 2017 Palestinian drama film directed as well as written by Annemarie Jacir. It was screened in the Contemporary World Cinema section at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival. It was selected as the Palestinian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 90th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.
Wajib won 36 international awards including Best Film in Mar Del Plata, Dubai, Amiens, DC Film Festival, Kerala and the London BFI Festival.
Contents
Plot
In this road movie, a father and son travel amid wedding preparations in the lead-up to Christmas in Nazareth.
Cast
Mohammad Bakri as Abu Shadi
Saleh Bakri as Shadi
Maria Zreik as Amal
Ossama Bawardi as Karaim
Tarik Kopty as Abu Murad
Lama Matour as Maria
Monera Shehadeh as Um Murad
Zuhaira Sabbagh as Georgette
Samia Shahan as Widow
Jalil Abu Hanna as Waiter
Emil Rock as Bird's uncle
Naheda Azzam Shorrosh as Bird's aunt
Sobhi Hosari as Salim
Ruba Blal as Rami's wife
Huda Al Imam as Um Issa
Blanche Mawaari as Um Rami
Rana Allaudin as Fadyah's cousin
Eihab Salame as Norbert
Samia Hakim as Woman in Salon
George Kheleifi as Asad
Shams Bawardi as Rami's daughter
Bahjat Odeh as Mourner
Salah Taha as Shadir Seller
Mohamed Jabarin as Nasser
Rebecca Esmeralda Telhami as Noura
Sama Dubayah as Running Girl
Reem Khoury as Saleswoman
Raja Dubayah as Neighbor (voice)
Violette Khoury as Grandmother
Manner Bakri as Johnney
Makram Khoury as Special Appearance
Amina Bawardi as Relative
Falah Zoabi as Marwan
Rezik Bawardi as Abu Firas
Sana Mgazil as Um Suleman
Gaby Abu Sini as Abu Issa
Ebah Bahous as Yousef
Karma Zoubi as Salwa
Maryam Konj as Souq Girl
Mahmoud More as Driver 1
Khalil Khalileh as Driver 2
Dana Abed as Reiham
Nader Bawaridi as Kayak Seller
Henry Andrawes as Rami
Ahmed Bayatra as Salesman
Walaa Eltiti
Yazeed Fariuja
Hanna Jiryis
Reception
Critical reception
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 100%, based on 35 reviews with an average rating of 7.6/10.
Awards
Muhr Awards for Best Fiction Feature Film and for Best Actor (for Mohammad Bakri and Saleh Bakri), Dubai International Film Festival 2017
Golden Crow Pheasant for Best Film, International Film Festival of Kerala 2017
Arab Critics Awards for Best Film, Best Screenplay and Best Actor (for Mohammad Bakri), Cannes Film Festival 2018
Golden Astor for Best Film and Silver Astor for Best Actor (for Mohammad Bakri) Mar del Plata International Film Festival 2017