Review of Incendies (2010) by Spangle — 13 Oct 2016

Wow is Incendies messed up. Telling the story of Jeanne (Melissa Desormeaux-Poulin) and Simon Marwan (Maxim Gaudette) on their journey to find their father and brother in the aftermath of the death of their mother, Nawal Marwan (Lubna Azabal). A thoroughly heartwrenching journey through a religiously and war torn Middle Eastern nation that is part self-discovery and part war story, Incendies feels influenced by classic Greek and Shakespearean tragedies (namely one that I will mention later on since it is a major spoiler) and also feels incredibly important for today. Yet, Incendies' greatest power is its emotional impact and the way in which it leaves you absolutely stunned at what you just witnessed.

An incredibly crafted mystery film from director Denis Villeneuve, the ending of Incendies is not one you see coming. In fact, when the reveal occurs, you are left stunned as it is most certainly not what was anticipated. Rather, through shocking twists and turns throughout its story, Incendies is a haunting story of civil war in an unnamed Middle Eastern nation. Telling the story of Christian nationalists who reject refugees against Muslims who accept the refugees, the film breaks your heart from the very first shot of Nawal's involvement in this classic tale. Given the political goings on in the United States today, it is not hard to draw comparisons between Incendies and current events. The fact that Nawal is a Christian who loves a refugee makes this film almost have a Romeo & Juliet feel to it in the very beginning, except this time Romeo actually dies and Juliet brings shame on her entire family, almost being killed as a result. The rest, when told from the perspective of Nawal, details her journey to find the son she and her now deceased lover had together. This journey brings her face-to-face with the Christian nationalists before she winds up in political prison. Nawal's journey is particularly harrowing and incredibly well told. As a character, her motivation is clear: to find her son. The path she takes is solely towards that goal, in spite of her being caught up in the civil war.

Yet, the greatest influence on the story of Incendies has to be Oedipus. Mirroring the tale as Nawal is forced to give up her son, Nihad (Abdelghafour Elaaziz), for adoption, only to wind up being raped and impregnated by him in prison (unbeknownst to both of them at the time), Incendies gives the viewer the same sickening feeling as Oedipus does. Yet, it takes Oedipus one step further by having their children find out the truth as well. The reactions of the characters is just painful and thoroughly messed up to watch unfold. Though it lacks the free-will and Oracle elements of Oedipus, it does feel as thought the film's story does bear marks of influence.

In terms of Incendies itself, it is incredibly well shot to go along with its tremendous emotional power. There is one shot in particular of Nawal crying beside a burning bus she was once on. After Christian nationalists slaughtered everyone on the bus for being Muslims, but sparing Nawal as she is a Christian, the bus burns in the background. The spiraling black smoke and orange flames are gorgeously captured alongside Nawal's pain-filled cries.

Before the ending is revealed, the mystery is thoroughly well-developed. Always leaving you on edge as Jeanne and Simon discover more-and-more about their mother's previously unknown past, the film really spins a terrific yarn and brings you throughout the region. In the process, it not only explores this deeply destroyed family, but also explores this deeply destroyed region. With many Middle Eastern countries going through this process, the emotional impact of seeing this nation blown to bits is incredible. Upon revealing the mystery, the final letters left by Nawal for Jeanne and Simon, as well as the two for Nihad are absolutely heartwrenching. Filled with emotion, forgiveness, and power, the film reveals its true heart here as it is not just a story about a mother searching for her son, but also a story of forgiving that son for all the pain and suffering he had caused her. Truly powerful in this regard, Incendies leaves an indelible mark on all who view it for this very reason.

The only foreign-language film from Villeneuve that I have seen, Incendies reveals that I have far more to watch. Having seen all of his English-language works and eagerly anticipating Arrival and Blade Runner 2049, Villeneuve has to be one of the best filmmakers working currently.