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.
