Incendies (2010)

Director: Denis Villeneuve

Starring: Lubna Azabal, Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin, Maxim Gaudette

Twins journey to the Middle East to discover their family history and fulfill their mother’s last wishes.

Initially, the film can be a bit confusing due to them continually jumping back in time. Once you get the hang of it, though, and get to know the characters, it is easy enough to follow.

This is essentially two films in one: the story of a mother searching for the son she had to give up at birth, and a story about twins searching for their father, and a brother they never knew they had. The film takes us on an incredible journey filled with action, suspense, drama, and more than just a few twists.

‘Incendies’ effectively illustrates the horrors of war, and killings in the name of religion. What an absolutely fantastic script. This is one of the most amazing films I’ve seen in a while.

‘Incendies’ is among the top rated films of all time. It received an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. It won several awards including Best Feature, Best Director, Best Foreign Film,  Best Achievement in Direction, Best Motion Picture, Best Achievement in Overall Sound, Best Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Make-Up, Best International Picture, Best Costume Design, among others.

In French and Arabic

Would I watch it again? Yes.