Review of Incendies (2010) by Özkan T — 16 Jul 2011

Wow, that was an utterly gut wrenching movie which draws you in with it's mysterious narrative before stringing you up and leaving you to wilt in a hot middle eastern sun as the climax reaches boiling point.

The opening shot of a young boy standing in a crumbling sandstone shelter having his head shaved to the soundtrack of Radiohead's "You And Who's Army" is a stunning opening shot, immediately placing you in an environment which you are unsure of but intrigued by, and when it tracks in and looks close into the boy's eye, you feel a chill come over you.

Breathtaking imagery. The story revolves around a couple of twins who, upon receiving instructions from their recently deceased mother in her will, embark upon a path of discovery, uncovering their own their mother's and a possible brother's identity which had been concealed for almost 20 years.

The journey takes them from their home in Canada to the middle east and back again as they retrace their mother's steps through a war torn world and one which has caused much anguish. We are slowly but surely revealed clue after clue to the secret as the twins track down the movements of their mother and while it is probably a little too slow paced at the beginning and could certainly have benefited from a little editing, it all leads to a surprising, and while a little unbelievable, still a powerfully astonishing finale.

Compelling viewing, almost a Greek tragedy, and one which is bound to leave an impression for long after.