Feature Narrative Competition | Lebanon, United States, Norway | Arabic, English with subtitles in English | 100 min
In June 1982, at a school tucked safely in the mountains overlooking Beirut, final exams are underway. Eleven-year-old Wissam decides to tell his classmate Joanna that he loves her. As Wissam yearns to express himself, the day is interrupted when an air invasion reaches Beirut, and the school has to shut down. Nobody knows what the future will bring, so Wissam gets even more determined to declare his love. This story of first love set against the backdrop of war portrays a day full of emotions to be remembered.
Oualid Mouaness grew up between Lebanon and Liberia. After receiving his undergraduate degree with honors from the Lebanese American University in Beirut, he acquired an M.F.A in writing and directing from Florida State University. He went onto a dense producing career in narrative and documentary films, videos and commercials, most notably David LaChapelle’s Rize (2005), Mari Kornhauser’s Kitchen Privileges (2000), and Adria Petty’s Paris, Not France (2008). A Sundance Screenwriting Fellow, he has also written and directed several short films. His 2016 short film The Rifle, the Jackal, the Wolf and the Boy was shortlisted for an Oscar at the 89th Academy Awards.
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