1982

Despite that the movie is well captured in terms of technology like cameras and equipment, and the casting staff did tremendous job, the movie all in all lacked a strong scenario and had one major event, the whole movie covers this event throughout half day. and it was very slow moving! Disappointing.

I stumbled upon this film by accident while researching a different movie I found it quite captivating as it provided a different perspective on a conflict that I was somewhat familiar with. I found the actors for the most part quite believable and in many cases, the storyline was very touching. The young stars at the centre of the story are consummate actors and I will be looking forward to seeing more of their performances, I was; however disappointed with the ending as it seemed amateurish and to be totally out of place with a very professional piece that had proceeded it. But for the disappointing end, I thurally enjoyed the film and would recommend it heartly.

War films have become a dime a dozen, and rarely do directors venture into the tragedy of the "collateral damages' ' of said wars. Genuine and riveting, Oualid Mouaness' directorial debut 1982 recounts the events of the Israelite invasion in South Lebanon through the perspective of children and teachers in a Lebanese school. Due to Mouaness' drawing from his own memories as a child during the war, viewers are provided with a beautifully narrative about adolescent love and the power of innocence. There were times during the film where I found myself so invested in these children's lives that I forgot there was war waging just miles from the school. Strong directing choices and simple yet stunning cinematography are what truly set the tone for the film. Choices such as lack of music for many scenes or long takes of establishing shots created a sense of realism by emulating the natural human perspective. Although war may not be a universal experience, emotions such as fear, confusion, and love are something many can sympathize with and relate to, which in turn makes this films simplicity its greatest weapon.

The realism that is displayed in the new film "1982" was definitely a great breath of fresh air providing an interesting perspective on war. Straight from the brilliant mind of director Oualid Mouaness, he depicts the events of what could have occurred at an average Lebanese school during the invasion. The camera angles and suspenseful cinematography entices the audience's attention and brings you into the minds of people living in a war-zone. The characters are thoughtfully constructed from the 11-year-old main character who has a crush on his classmate to his conflicted and terrified teachers and staff at this grade school. The juxtaposition of storylines combines to formulate an unsettling mood, leaving you on the edge of your seat. The superbly raw emotions simply radiate from each actor and actress creating a touching sense of a loss that had yet to happen. However, you know in the very beginning how the story ends and hang off the silence in every scene foreshadowing the pain that would come to this country. As a human, you feel inspired to recognize the horrors that are happening as the result of war and disagreements on ideology. The tension of the consequences also added to the general tone of losing and gaining hope and the fear of ultimately being trapped and unprotected. Since watching this film, I have personally gained a new intriguing perspective of what life is like for people on the other side of the globe, and it makes me want to help and advocate for them; because they are also human.

Oualid Mouaness' debut film "1982" is a beautifully blended coming-of-age tale that follows the 1982 invasion of Lebanon as seen through the eyes of a schoolboy who tries relentlessly to announce his love to a classmate on the same evening that disaster strikes. Mouaness, who in addition to directing, wrote and produced this film, which is unlike any other in its ability to draw emotion and suspense with the subtlety and grace of a true auteur. With exquisite performances from Mohamad Dalli (Wissam) and Nadine Labaki (Yasmine), this script becomes a story that is as palpable as it is entertaining, consistently delivering on effective blocking and delivery that progresses the film organically. As effective as the dialogue and action are, however, I would be remiss not to mention what is possibly the film's greatest strength, its silences. Mouaness strategically injects the action with silences that elevate this film to a new level of excellence, drawing out each interaction and allowing the impact of this event to fully wash over the audience. "1982" is one of the finest contemporary examples of narrative cinema, and one that will continue to push the envelope of what it means to be a filmmaker.