1982 (2020)

In the tumultuous summer of 1982, amidst the chaos of the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, a delicate tale of youthful innocence and complex adult relations unravels within the confines of a private school on the outskirts of war-torn Beirut. Oualid Mouaness, in his remarkable directorial debut, revisits this cataclysmic epoch in Lebanese history, casting a unique light on the lives affected by the encroaching geopolitical storm. Our young protagonist, 11-year-old Wissam, played with compelling sensitivity by Mohamad Dalli, finds himself engrossed not in the conflict that threatens his borders but in the battlefield of adolescent emotions. A dreamer at heart, more at home with sketchpad than football, Wissam musters the courage to express his burgeoning love for a classmate, oblivious to the gravity of the external strife. Mirroring the innocence of their students, teachers Yesmine (Nadine Labaki) and Joseph (Rodrigue Sleiman) grapple with their own internal war. The ominous roar of jets overhead signals more than impending violence; it reveals the cracks in their relationship as they find themselves on opposing sides of the political chasm. Their efforts to shield their students from fear are as much a struggle to conceal their own insecurities and ideological differences. Mouaness, the mastermind behind the script, seamlessly alternates between these two worlds - the naive simplicity of childhood and the troubled intricacies of adulthood. The film, "1982," thus unfolds as a poignant exploration of love and war, painting a vivid portrait of a society teetering on the brink of disruption, while at its heart, a young boy's innocent love story persists.

1982 is a drama movie featuring Nadine Labaki and directed by Oualid Mouaness.

1982 is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on The Roku Channel.

It is also possible to buy 1982 on Amazon Video and Apple TV.