The plot of Incendies centers around the tragic journey of Jeanne (Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin) and Simon (Maxim Gaudette), Canadian twins who, upon the death of their mother Nawal Marwan (Lubna Azabal), are tasked with delivering two letters that will uncover the truth about her hidden past. These letters must be delivered to their father, whom they believed to be dead, and to a brother they never knew existed. The film’s narrative structure alternates between the present-day investigation of Jeanne and Simon and flashbacks to Nawal’s life in Lebanon during the Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990). In the past, Nawal is a young woman caught in the violence and political turmoil of the war, enduring hardships that will shape her entire existence. As Jeanne and Simon uncover the horrors of Nawal’s life, they begin to realize that their mother’s past is far more entwined with their own lives than they could have ever imagined.

At its core, Incendies is a story about family—the secrets, the bonds, and the painful revelations that are often part of the familial experience. The relationship between Nawal and her children is central to the film, and the emotional journey of Jeanne and Simon is as much about understanding their mother’s past as it is about understanding themselves. For much of the film, the audience is led to believe that the mystery of Nawal’s life can be solved through simple revelation. We expect to uncover the identity of the father, understand the circumstances of her past, and reach a resolution that ties up all the narrative threads. Instead, the final revelation—particularly the true identity of Nawal’s son—offers no closure in the traditional sense. Rather than providing intellectual satisfaction, the film’s final act challenges the viewer to consider whether closure is ever truly possible. In a world marked by war, trauma, and identity conflict, truth itself becomes fragmented, elusive, and often painful to confront.

At its core, Incendies is a story about family

Denis Villeneuve’s direction in Incendies is a crucial element in the film’s success. He manages to construct a narrative that is intricate yet accessible, never losing sight of the emotional core of the story while delving into complex political and historical themes. One of the film’s most striking features is its cinematography. André Turpin’s camera work is elegant and purposeful, using natural lighting and vast landscape shots to enhance the emotional resonance of the film. The camera often lingers on faces, capturing the raw, unspoken emotion of the characters in intimate, close-up shots. These moments create a visual connection between the audience and the characters, drawing viewers into the emotional gravity of the story. The juxtaposition of intimate moments and sweeping shots of the Lebanese landscape, in contrast to the faces, is particularly effective in evoking the vastness of both the personal and political struggles depicted in the film. The landscapes of Lebanon—both beautiful and scarred—are essential to the story, as they serve as metaphors for the emotional and physical devastation that the characters endure. Villeneuve’s ability to balance these expansive shots with the film’s personal, often claustrophobic moments makes Incendies feel both grand in scope and deeply personal.

The film remains incredibly relevant in today’s world

Incendies is a film that remains incredibly relevant in today’s world, especially when viewed through the lens of ongoing global conflicts and the refugee crisis. While it is set against the backdrop of Lebanon’s Civil War, the issues at play—political violence, displacement, and generational trauma—are as pertinent now as ever. The refugees that fill news reports today are not just victims of conflict; they are people with deeply personal histories marked by loss, pain, and the search for a semblance of peace. Incendies serves as a reminder that the trauma of war is not a distant, isolated experience but a shared human condition, one that affects families, individuals, and entire communities across the globe. Moreover, the film’s emphasis on the cyclical nature of violence—how one generation’s actions reverberate in the lives of the next—speaks directly to the political and social dynamics of today. As the world grapples with the aftermath of colonial legacies, sectarian violence, and ideological divides, Incendies forces viewers to reflect on the ways in which the past continues to inform the present. It encourages us to examine the stories we tell about conflict and identity, and how these narratives shape our understanding of justice, forgiveness, and reconciliation.