Incendies 2011
Directed by
Denis Villeneuve
Made by
Sony Pictures Classics
Plot Summary
After their mother passes away from a stroke at a community swimming pool, twin siblings must fulfill her final wishes outlined in her will. To honor their immigrant mother’s legacy, they embark on a journey to her birthplace in a nameless Middle Eastern country, which reflects the struggles during the Lebanese Civil War.
The film poignantly weaves in flashbacks of their mother, Nawal Marwan. A Christian woman amidst the chaos, Nawal unexpectedly finds herself pregnant by a refugee, likely a Palestinian fleeing the horrors of war. Her brothers, enraged by this union, tragically kill her lover as they make an attempt to escape together. In a heartbreaking moment, she confides in her grandmother about her pregnancy, and they decide to keep it a secret to maintain their family’s honor. When the child is born, Nawal’s grandmother tattoos the infant’s heel as a mark and secretly gives him away. Upholding her promise, Nawal moves to Daresh, a fictional city, to pursue her education, only to face the ravages of civil unrest that force her to return in search of her lost son.
As Nawal sets out, she discovers that the orphanage where her son was housed has been destroyed by war. Desperate, she disguises herself as a Muslim to escape to a refugee camp. Unfortunately, the bus she boards is met with violence from armed groups, resulting in chaos and loss. Nawal manages to evade capture by revealing her cross, but it tragically costs the life of another mother’s child, leaving Nawal deeply disillusioned and driving her to join a radical faction.
Assuming the role of a French tutor, she gains access to a prominent Christian leader, with dire consequences: Nawal carries out an assassination that lands her in Kfar Ryat prison for 15 harrowing years. As prisoner number 72, she withstands relentless torment, earning the nickname “The Woman Who Sings.” However, her spirit is targeted by a torture specialist named Abou Tareq, who inflicts unimaginable pain upon her, resulting in the birth of twins during her imprisonment. A compassionate nurse secretly saves her babies and reunites them with Nawal upon her release. Eventually, Nawal immigrates to Canada with her twins.
After her death, her will compels her children, Simon and Jeanne, to seek out their estranged father and their missing brother. While Simon resists embarking on this quest, Jeanne perseveres, tracing her mother’s lost family and confronting the shame they associate with her mother’s past. Her search leads her to the prison where Nawal endured her agonizing captivity, where she discovers the devastating truth of her mother’s suffering and the identity of the nurse who helped during her birth.
In a heart-wrenching twist, Jeanne persuades Simon to join her. Together, they uncover that Nawal’s twin babies were named Janaan and Sarwan. Upon identifying their half-brother, Nihad of May, they learn of the warlord responsible for the destruction of their mother’s world. As they unfold this family saga, they discover that Nihad, fueled by the chaos of war, has also suffered and is now turned to the dark side, ultimately becoming a torturer in the very prison where his mother was held.
The siblings finally locate their half-brother, who had also moved to Canada, and they deliver poignant letters from their mother—one for him and one for their father. Hidden within this tragic tapestry is the haunting recognition that Nawal had once seen Nihad in her later years, a man with a tattooed heel. The shock of rediscovery leads to her stroke and death. With her wishes fulfilled, the twins honor her memory by placing an engraved headstone at her grave. This brings Nihad, now burdened with the realization of his actions, to visit her grave, reflecting on the intertwined fates of a family torn apart by war and bound by love.
Timeline
Mother's Death
The film begins with the tragic passing of Nawal Marwan, the twin siblings' mother, after suffering a stroke at a community swimming pool. This event serves as a catalyst for her children, Simon and Jeanne, to reflect on her life and fulfill her final wishes outlined in her will.
Journey to Birthplace
In order to honor their mother's legacy, Simon and Jeanne decide to embark on a journey to their mother's birthplace, a nameless Middle Eastern country. This trip symbolizes their quest to uncover the truth about their mother's past and the sacrifices she made.
Nawal's Pregnancy & Trauma
Through powerful flashbacks, we learn about Nawal's youth as a Christian woman during the Lebanese Civil War who becomes pregnant by a Palestinian refugee. Her brothers, horrified by this relationship, tragically kill her lover as they attempt to escape, marking the beginning of Nawal’s tumultuous journey.
Secret Child
Nawal confides in her grandmother about her pregnancy, and they decide to keep the child a secret to maintain family honor. When Nawal gives birth, her grandmother tattoos the infant's heel as a mark and secretly gives him away, forever altering Nawal's life.
Education in Daresh
After promising to reclaim her lost son, Nawal moves to the fictional city of Daresh for her education. However, the civil unrest forces her to abandon her studies and return home, desperately searching for her child amid the chaos.
Disguise and Escape
Nawal discovers that the orphanage housing her son has been destroyed, prompting her to disguise herself as a Muslim to evade capture and reach a refugee camp. Her journey turns harrowing when the bus she boards is attacked, leading to chaos and great loss.
Joining a Radical Faction
Haunted by the violence she witnessed and her inability to protect herself and others, Nawal joins a radical faction. Assuming the role of a French tutor, she gains access to a Christian leader and reluctantly becomes involved in an assassination plot.
Imprisonment
Nawal's involvement in the assassination leads to her capture and imprisonment for 15 years in Kfar Ryat. As prisoner number 72, she endures relentless torture and despair, earning the moniker 'The Woman Who Sings' for her resilience.
Birth of Twins
During her time in prison, Nawal gives birth to twins, a moment of both anguish and joy. A compassionate nurse, recognizing the dire circumstances, secretly saves the infants and ensures they are reunited with Nawal upon her eventual release.
New Life in Canada
Upon her release and immigration to Canada, Nawal starts anew with her twins, but the shadows of her past linger. The scars of war and loss leave a lasting impact, shaping the lives of her children as they grow without knowing the full extent of their mother's struggles.
Jeanne's Quest
After Nawal's death, the will challenges Simon and Jeanne to find their estranged father and lost brother. Jeanne, determined to uncover the painful legacy of their mother, takes the initiative to connect with their family's past despite Simon's hesitations.
Confrontation of Family History
Jeanne's search leads her to her mother's former prison, where she discovers the harrowing truth of Nawal’s suffering and the identity of the nurse who aided her during childbirth. This revelation brings the painful history of their family into stark focus.
Discovery of Half-Brother
The siblings find out that Nawal's twin babies were named Janaan and Sarwan, and they track down their half-brother Nihad. As they delve deeper into their family saga, they uncover the dark paths taken by each family member amidst the backdrop of war.
Letter to Father and Brother
With their search culminating, Simon and Jeanne manage to meet their half-brother who has also relocated to Canada. They deliver poignant letters from their mother, bringing with them the weight of familial connection and the legacy of loss.
Honoring Nawal's Memory
The siblings place an engraved headstone at their mother's grave, fulfilling her last wishes. The haunting realization that Nawal once saw Nihad leads to a reflection on the intertwined fates of a family who endured unimaginable strife yet remained bonded by love.
Characters
Nawal Marwan
Nawal Marwan is a deeply complex character marked by resilience and determination. As a mother, her sacrifices navigate the struggles of war, love, and loss. Throughout her turbulent life, she embodies strength, facing immense odds to uncover her family's truth and ensure that her legacy impacts her children.
Simon
Simon is Nawal's son, whose resistance to fulfilling their mother's last wish reveals his internal struggle. He grapples with feelings of resentment and confusion regarding his mother's past.A pivotal character, Simon's journey reflects the impact of inherited trauma and the difficulties of confronting family secrets.
Jeanne
Jeanne is Simon's twin sister, representing hope and perseverance. Driven by a desire to understand her mother’s legacy, she embarks on a quest for truth. Jeanne’s determination and empathy shine through as she confronts the complexities of her family history, unearthing painful truths while honoring her mother's memory.
Setting
Time period
1975 - 1990s
The movie spans a crucial period during the Lebanese Civil War, which lasted from 1975 to the early 1990s. This era was marked by intense conflict, dislocation, and the struggle for identity amid chaos and violence. The characters' experiences reflect the broader human impacts and personal tragedies stemming from this war.
Location
Daresh, Canada, Kfar Ryat
Daresh is a fictional city representing the turmoil of the Lebanese Civil War, where much of Nawal's education and struggles unfold. Canada serves as a significant location where Nawal's twins, Simon and Jeanne, navigate their mother's legacy and try to understand their family's past. Kfar Ryat is a site of Nawal's deep suffering, where she endured a lengthy imprisonment that changed the course of her life.
Themes
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Familial Bonds
The theme of familial bonds is central to the narrative, as Nawal's journey revolves around her children and her longing for her lost family. The film explores how love and duty compel the twins to uncover their mother's past, revealing the complexity of their heritage. Ultimately, family ties, shaped by both love and trauma, drive the quest for understanding and reconciliation.
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War and Trauma
War and trauma are enduring themes throughout the film, depicting the enduring scars left on individuals and families. Nawal’s life story highlights the personal and societal impacts of conflict, showcasing the destruction and despair that war brings. The film poignantly illustrates how these experiences shape identity and influence future generations.
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Secrets and Revelations
Secrets play a significant role in the narrative, as Nawal's hidden past influences her children's journey. The quest for truth unravels layers of deception and pain, ultimately leading to cathartic revelations. This theme underscores the importance of confronting the past to heal and understand oneself and one's family.
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