Incendies is a haunting and emotionally devastating 2010 drama film directed by Denis Villeneuve, adapted from the acclaimed play by Wajdi Mouawad. Set between present-day Canada and a war-torn Middle Eastern country (a fictionalized Lebanon), the film is an intense meditation on identity, trauma, family, and the brutality of civil conflict. With a narrative that unfolds like a mystery, Incendies leaves a powerful and lasting impression on viewers.
Opening: A Mother’s Last Wish
The story begins in Canada with the death of Nawal Marwan (Lubna Azabal), a Canadian immigrant of Middle Eastern descent. In her will, she leaves behind two letters for her adult twin children, Jeanne and Simon: one to be delivered to their father—whom they believed was dead—and one to a brother they never knew existed. The will stipulates that the letters be delivered before she can be buried, igniting a reluctant journey, especially for Simon.
Jeanne’s Journey: Searching Through Her Mother’s Past
Jeanne travels to her mother’s unnamed homeland to uncover the truth. Her search leads her through refugee camps, war-torn villages, and hospitals, slowly revealing that Nawal was deeply involved in political conflict during her youth. Jeanne discovers that Nawal had a child at a young age, born out of wedlock, and that child was taken from her—this child would later become Jeanne and Simon’s long-lost brother.
Nawal’s Past: From Love to Tragedy
Nawal’s backstory is revealed in fragmented flashbacks. She fell in love with a refugee from a different religious background and became pregnant. Her family, shamed by this, killed her lover and sent her away. After giving birth, her child was taken from her. Driven by this trauma, Nawal joined a radical militant group opposing the government. She became both a political assassin and a victim of wartime atrocities, including imprisonment and rape.
Simon Joins the Search: Dark Truths Emerge
When Simon joins Jeanne, they piece together more of Nawal’s tragic history. They discover that her torturer in prison—known only as “Abou Tarek”—was responsible for unspeakable acts, including sexually assaulting her over a long period. A significant revelation comes when they find out that this same man is also their long-lost brother.
Movie Ending
The climax of Incendies is one of the most emotionally powerful and disturbing in modern cinema. Jeanne and Simon finally track down Nihad of May, a man who once fought for a nationalist Christian militia and later became a notorious torturer. DNA tests confirm the impossible: Nihad is both their half-brother and their biological father.
This horrifying revelation comes with a final, heartbreaking twist—the man who raped Nawal in prison (and fathered Simon and Jeanne) was her long-lost son from her youth. In an act of unknowable tragedy, war turned mother and son into unknowing participants in an incestuous act, orchestrated by violence, ignorance, and fate.
The film ends with Simon and Jeanne delivering both letters—one to Nihad and one to their now-deceased mother, granting her final wishes and closing a brutal chapter of generational trauma.
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Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, there are no post-credits scenes in Incendies. The film ends definitively and somberly with its final scene. The emotional and narrative resolution is complete, and the story does not hint at a continuation or epilogue beyond what is shown on screen.
Type of Movie
Incendies is a psychological drama, mystery, and war film with deep political and family drama elements. It carries the tone of a thriller, but its core is human tragedy and the pursuit of truth in the wake of unspeakable pain.
Cast
- Lubna Azabal as Nawal Marwan
- Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin as Jeanne Marwan
- Maxim Gaudette as Simon Marwan
- Rémy Girard as Notary Jean Lebel
- Abdelghafour Elaaziz as Chamseddine
Film Music and Composer
The score for Incendies was composed by Grégoire Hetzel, whose work complements the haunting atmosphere of the film with restrained and emotional undertones. The soundtrack also prominently features Radiohead’s “You and Whose Army?”, which is used to incredible effect in the opening scene, establishing an eerie, poetic tone.
Filming Locations
The film was shot in:
- Montreal, Quebec (Canada) – for scenes set in modern-day Canada.
- Amman, Jordan – standing in for the unnamed Middle Eastern country.
The Jordanian landscapes and architecture convincingly recreate war-torn villages and refugee camps, providing both authenticity and dramatic intensity.
The decision to fictionalize the country (though heavily inspired by Lebanon) allows the story to avoid direct historical critique while still addressing very real civil conflicts, religious tensions, and political violence.
Awards and Nominations
Incendies received numerous prestigious awards, including:
- Academy Awards: Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film.
- Genie Awards: Won Best Motion Picture, Best Director (Denis Villeneuve), Best Actress (Lubna Azabal), and several other categories.
- Jutra Awards: Won Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actress, among others.
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Behind the Scenes Insights
- Denis Villeneuve adapted the play with the help of Wajdi Mouawad, focusing on cinematic rather than theatrical storytelling.
- Lubna Azabal reportedly found the role of Nawal so emotionally demanding that she had to take a break from acting afterward.
- Many scenes involving civil war flashbacks were filmed with non-professional extras who had experienced real-life conflict in the Middle East.
- Villeneuve emphasized the importance of restraint and ambiguity to allow the audience to absorb the horror gradually, rather than through graphic violence.
Inspirations and References
Incendies is adapted from the play of the same name by Wajdi Mouawad, who based parts of the story on true historical events and the Lebanese Civil War. The themes of fractured identity, inherited trauma, and the cyclical nature of violence are central to both the play and the film.
The rape and incest storyline echoes real-life wartime atrocities and explores how violence destroys not just individuals but entire family lineages.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
No alternate endings have been made public. The film’s ending is definitive and closely follows the structure of the original play. Some minor scenes were trimmed for pacing, particularly those expanding on Jeanne and Simon’s personal lives in Canada, to keep the focus on Nawal’s past and the central mystery.
Book Adaptations and Differences
While not based on a traditional novel, the film is a faithful adaptation of Mouawad’s stage play, though with some notable cinematic enhancements:
- The film gives a more detailed visual representation of the war-torn setting.
- Some characters and events are simplified or streamlined for the screen.
- The play contains more philosophical dialogue, whereas the film leans on mood, silence, and imagery to convey depth.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The opening scene with the reading of Nawal’s will.
- Jeanne’s discovery of her mother’s past in the Middle East.
- The confrontation and revelation of Nawal’s imprisonment and torture.
- The final revelation of the twins’ father/brother and the delivery of Nawal’s letters.
Iconic Quotes
- “Death is never the end of the story. It always leaves traces.” – Nawal Marwan
- “Your story begins with a promise.” – Nawal Marwan
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Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The recurring image of fire (burning bus, branding, incinerators) ties into the title Incendies, which means “fires” in French, symbolizing both literal and emotional destruction.
- The number “72” appears subtly in the film, referencing both Nawal’s prison cell and the dossier file, symbolizing cyclical fate.
Trivia
- The film’s budget was approximately $6.8 million, and it grossed over $16 million worldwide.
- The film is part of a thematic trilogy by Villeneuve, along with Polytechnique (2009) and Enemy (2013), all dealing with identity and trauma.
- Lubna Azabal performed most of her scenes in Arabic, English, and French, showcasing her linguistic and emotional range.
- Incendies was Canada’s official submission to the 2011 Oscars and became one of the most internationally recognized Canadian films of the decade.
Why Watch?
Incendies is a powerful and emotionally gripping film that offers a profound exploration of family, identity, and the enduring scars of war. Its masterful storytelling, strong performances, and impactful themes make it a must-watch for those interested in deep, thought-provoking cinema.
Director’s Other Movies
Denis Villeneuve also directed: