Konrad Herling Reviews 'Incendies'

The main characters of “Incendies,” a mother and her twin children, are in search for the togetherness of family, for truth, for peace in the face of unending violence. 

After viewing “Incendies,” I had only one word to say — and could say: “Wow!”

It is easy after experiencing this powerful film, a mystery that is not solved until the twins, Jeanne and Simon (played by Melissa Desormeaux-Poulin and Maxim Gaudette), wrestle with a terrible ironic twist, to see why it was nominated for the Oscar’s Best Foreign Film. 

Based on "Scorched," a stage play by Wajdi Mouawa, Director Denis Villenueve provides you with the very personal perspective of Nawal Marwan, the twins' mother, played remarkably by Lubna Azabal. 

The mystery begins shortly before and then quickly after the twins’ mother’s death.  Her notary and former boss Lebel, played by Remy Girard, reads the will to them. It requires the twins to find their brother and father, whom neither realized was part of the family equation. They were asked to deliver envelopes to them, and only until then, would they be allowed to give their Mother a proper burial and headstone.

The search takes them from Canada, where they had lived most of their lives, to their Mom’s native land, a fictitious Middle Eastern country, and her past. They learn that their Mother, Nawal, a Christian, is scorned and ostracized by her family for having fallen in love with a Muslim. 

After she gives birth to a son, Nawal's grandmother insists that she leave and live in the Northern Muslim region, separated from her son, shielded from embarrassment that his mom has caused the family.

After securing a new residence and job as a journalist for a controversial paper, she departs to find her son in the country’s Christian South. 

In Nawal’s search for her son, she witnesses the violence and devastation, the unending hatred between Muslims and Christians that divided the country.  In the years that follow, she is both a victim and participant in this unyielding struggle.  In the twins’ search, they learn of the suffering of their Mom, pain that mirrors what has occurred in reality in that area of the globe.

As I witnessed the film, I could not help but think of the same tension that is reflected in the balance of the world, most notably through last week's horror in Norway, derived from the same type of insanity.

One must see the film to its conclusion, however, to see what spirit and inner strength is necessary to at least begin to overcome the overwhelming inhumanity. Perhaps, as idealistic as it may seem, one answer might be to approach life as if we are one broad, diverse family. 

As tough as this film is to experience, its message is important. The acting is incredible, to which much credit must be given to the director.

This is a moving film and I give it 4 bags of popcorn.