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Incendies
2010 131 min Canada, France R 16+
★8.6
Drama, War, Mystery
Director: Denis Villeneuve
🎭 Based on
«Scorched»
byWajdi Mouawad
Trailers
Description
A mother's last wishes send twins Jeanne and Simon on a journey to Middle East in search of their tangled roots. Adapted from Wajdi Mouawad's acclaimed play, Incendies tells the powerful and moving tale of two young adults' voyage to the core of deep-rooted hatred, never-ending wars and enduring love.
Budget:
$6.8M
US Gross:
$2.07M
Worldwide:
$6.79M
Starring
Lubna Azabal
Actor
Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin
Actor
Maxim Gaudette
Actor
Awards
BAFTA 2012
— Best International Feature Film
Academy Awards 2011
— Best International Feature Film
César Awards 2012
— Best International Feature Film
Key opinion
Incendies is widely regarded as a haunting, masterfully directed tragedy that effectively balances mystery with the brutal realities of war. While a few critics question its historical accuracy and narrative structure, most praise its emotional weight and visual execution.
| Cinematography | The cinematography is universally acclaimed for its naturalistic, austere, and immersive depiction of Middle Eastern landscapes and character-focused viewpoints. | |
| Acting | Lubna Azabal's performance as Nawal Marwan is a standout anchor that brings profound emotional depth to the film. | |
| Pacing | The film’s slow-burn pacing and deliberate tension are seen as rewarding for those who embrace its meditative rhythm, though some find the tempo to be dull or exhausting. | |
| Score | The score is polarized; while the use of Radiohead is lauded by many for its impact, others criticize the musical choices as feeling out of place or poor. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay's plot, particularly its heavy reliance on a shocking climactic twist, is seen by some as a masterclass in psychological intrigue and by others as contrived or narratively forced. |