logo

Incendies

Drama

RatingRatingRatingRatingRating4.5

DirectorDenis Villeneuve

ProducerLuc Déry, Kim McCraw

ScreenwriterDenis Villeneuve, Valérie Beaugrand-Champagne, Wajdi Mouawad

DistributorSony Pictures Classics

Release Date DateApr 22, 2011, Limited

LanguageArabic

Runtime2h 10m

Introduction

Nawal (Lubna Azabal), a dying Middle Eastern woman living in Montreal, leaves separate letters to her twin children to be read once she passes away. Jeanne (Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin) is to deliver hers to the father the twins never knew, and Simon (Maxim Gaudette) is to give his to the brother they never knew they had. The siblings travel to the Middle East separately, where they each experience acts of brutality, uncover a startling family history, and have revelations about themselves.

Critics Reviews

Roger Moore3.8

330

Jan 10, 2013
"Incendies" weaves a compelling narrative of discovery and harsh truths, centered around the journey of twins Jeanne and Simon as they unravel their mother Nawal's enigmatic past. While the film is visually and emotionally powerful, its deliberate withholding of crucial details such as relationships and geographic contexts can leave viewers struggling to piece together the storyline. This film demands patience and close attention, rewarding those who persist with profound revelations and insights into identity and family. However, its complexity can sometimes feel overwhelming, detracting from the overall impact of this otherwise gripping tale.

Roger Clarke4.8

331

Jun 28, 2011
"Incendies" is a film that delves into the depths of human suffering and resilience, drawing its weight from the profound framework of Greek tragedy rather than contemporary news. The story follows twins Jeanne and Simon, who unravel the haunting and brutal history of their family as they journey separately through the Middle East, driven by the last wishes of their dying mother, Nawal. This cinematic masterpiece combines powerful performances and a gripping narrative, leaving viewers with startling revelations and a deeper understanding of identity and heritage. "Incendies" is a harrowing yet essential exploration of the human spirit.
Incendies
91%