Legacy of Conflict and Courage

Read Time:3 Minute, 55 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Incendies
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Genre: Mystery, Drama, War
Year Released: 2010, 2024 101 Films 4K
Runtime: 2h 11m
Director(s): Denis Villeneuve
Writer(s): Wajdi Mouawad, Denis Villeneuve, Valérie Beaugrand-Champagne
Cast: Lubna Azabal, Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin, Maxim Gaudette, Rémy Girard, Allen Altman, Abdelghafour Elaaziz
Where To Watch: available on limited edition 4K UHD September 2, 2024; pre-order your copy here: www.101-films-store.com

RAVING REVIEW: INCENDIES, from the visionary mind of Denis Villeneuve, tells a tale that weaves individual suffering with the convoluted history of the Middle East. Early in his career, Villeneuve already demonstrated his unique ability to combine personal, emotional narratives with grand societal concepts, delivering a movie that quivers with thought and feeling. The film examines the journey of Jeanne (Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin) and Simon (Maxim Gaudette), twins who journey to the Middle East, and their endless desire to unlock their mother’s history is the core of the film’s narrative. Jeanne is focused, inhabiting a character that reflects both physical and emotional durabilities, bringing to light identity and exterior pains′ lasting sting. Meanwhile, her counterpart Simon causes him to engage more with his complex history. An interrogation of identity that took years to become his own.

The director’s methodical eye for detail upholds a mood, creating an atmosphere where everything brings more of what INCENDIES has to convey to life. The cinematography reflects the dual tone of the narrative, marked by a desaturated color scheme and disciplined framing. The low-key music and fly-on-the-wall sound design heighten tension effectively as they draw viewers further into this emotional narrative whirlpool.

INCENDIES delves into the intricate relationship between emotional baggage and grand fabrications of life with a touch of political struggle, mirroring the turmoil that has engulfed the Middle East for so long. Rather than presenting surface-level character profiles, the film, through its characters, reveals how personal and shared histories intertwine, especially when they are put up against each other. It poses challenging questions that we, as an audience, must grapple with to understand the complex influences of our parents on our identities.

INCENDIES is a testament to the power of ensemble acting, with solid performances from the cast. Désormeaux-Poulin and Gaudette, who portray the twins, deliver compelling performances. Lubna Azabal's portrayal of Nawal, their mother, is particularly remarkable. She captures the enigma of a woman who has endured the world's struggles, shown on her face as a testament to her emotional journey.

Ultimately, INCENDIES is a testament to the power of storytelling and how it can be employed as an illustration treading over past and present political boundaries. Villeneuve tells a story about finding the truth in everything we do and dealing with our family and the demons of the past. The film is memorable because it challenges us to ask ourselves what we inherit and where our battles begin — if not at home, then in the stories that replay from one generation to another, inviting viewers to an intriguing escape with a reminder of how long memory lasts.

SPECIAL FEATURES:
Remembering The Ashes: Incendies Through Their Eyes
Commentary with Denis Villeneuve
Interview with Denis Villeneuve
Q&A with director Denis Villeneuve
Limited edition booklet includes: ‘The Empathy and Alchemy of Denis Villeneuve’ by Rich Johnson, ‘Symphony for the Devil: Finding the Darkness of Denis Villeneuve’s Incendies’ by James Mottram, and printed Q&A with director Denis Villeneuve from Venice 2010

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[photo courtesy of 101 FILMS]

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