Review of Incendies (2010) by Gordon B — 10 Dec 2014
It is, perhaps, a very pretentious and purposefully "artsy" film, but "Incendies" is the sort of film that can probably get away with that. Solid acting and a realistic and gripping storyline make the filmmaking techniques almost irrelevant.
The film is told in two distinct eras across two generations of a Middle-Eastern family from Canada. Simon and Jeanne are tasked by the will of their mother to find and make peace with their father and long-lost brother. Meanwhile, flashbacks tell the story of their mothers trauma, radicalism, criminal activity and imprisonment whilst still living in the Middle East.
The mostly French and Lebanese cast members all put in a remarkable amount of emotion into this film, adding weight to some of the darker moments of this terrible story. It's a very revealing film, and despite some eye-rolling film tropes, you'd be quite heartless if this film doesn't touch you in some way.
8/10.
This review of Incendies (2010) was written by Gordon B on 10 Dec 2014.
Incendies has generally received very positive reviews.
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