Official promotional poster. Rights belong to the respective rights holders.
Read the film reference Availability and pricing vary by region.IncendiesA movie brief.
2010 / Mystery drama / Directed by Denis Villeneuve
Uncovering the past, one letter at a time.
What is Incendies about?
Canadian twins travel to their mother's native country to uncover her hidden past amidst a bloody civil war. They embark on a journey to fulfill their mother's dying wishes.
Five things to know.
Setup
The film follows Canadian twins Jeanne and Simon who travel to their mother's native country in the Levant to uncover her hidden past.
World
The story is set against the backdrop of a bloody civil war, heavily influenced by the Lebanese Civil War.
Pressure
The twins face immense pressure as they navigate a war-torn country to fulfill their mother's dying wishes.
Craft
The film features a blend of French, English, and Arabic languages, and was shot mainly in Montreal with 15 days spent in Jordan.
Viewing note
The film explores themes of identity, family, and war, and has been praised for its emotional impact.
A thought to take with you.
The twins' search follows two instructions that lead them toward a history their mother kept private. Their investigation joins personal identity to a civil war's lasting effects, while each discovered fact changes what they think they owe the living and the dead.
Is it your kind of movie?
Choose it for a French-language family mystery set against war and its aftermath. Its themes include sexual violence and family trauma, and the story is emotionally intense.
Sources & scope
This AI-assisted brief is based on the linked secondary reference. Facts and interpretation are separated; it does not claim personal viewing or independent expert review.
Source details checked October 2, 2026. Suggest a correction · Our editorial approach