History of Incendies in Timeline

Incendies, directed by Denis Villeneuve, follows twins Jeanne and Simon Marwan as they unravel their mother Nawal's hidden past after her death. Nawal's will sends them on a journey to the Middle East, the country of their mother's birth, to find a brother they never knew existed and their presumed-dead father. Through their journey, they uncover Nawal's horrific experiences during a brutal civil war, including imprisonment, torture, and rape, revealing a shocking family secret: their brother is also their father. The film explores themes of war, trauma, identity, and the cyclical nature of violence.

1975: Lebanese Civil War Start

In 1975, the Lebanese Civil War began. The film's story is based on events that occurred during this war, which lasted until 1990, although filmmakers intentionally kept the plot's location ambiguous.

1990: End of Lebanese Civil War

The Lebanese Civil War ended in 1990, having begun in 1975. The story of the film Incendies is based on events that happened during this time, although filmmakers attempted to obscure the specific location of the plot.

2004: Denis Villeneuve Sees Incendies Play

In 2004, director Denis Villeneuve saw Wajdi Mouawad's play Incendies at Théâtre de Quat'Sous in Montreal and felt it was a masterpiece. This experience led him to adapt the play into a film, spending five years on the screenplay.

2005: Lubna Azabal in Paradise Now

In 2005, Lubna Azabal acted in Paradise Now, which caught the eye of director Denis Villeneuve. He was intrigued by her "expressive and eloquent" face and eventually cast her as Nawal in Incendies, believing she could portray the character throughout the film's four decades.

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March 2009: Principal Photography Begins

Principal photography for Incendies began on March 15, 2009. The film was shot in Montreal and Jordan, with 15 of the 40 shooting days spent in Jordan.

2009: Villeneuve wins Rogers Best Canadian Film Award

In 2009, Denis Villeneuve won the Rogers Best Canadian Film Award for Polytechnique, preceding Incendies' success. This made him the first Canadian filmmaker to win the award twice in a row.

September 2010: Incendies Premieres at Film Festivals

In September 2010, Incendies premiered at the Venice and Toronto Film Festivals. Subsequently, it was released in Quebec on September 17, 2010, and received widespread critical acclaim both in Canada and internationally, leading to numerous awards.

September 2010: Canada's Submission for Academy Awards

On September 22, 2010, Incendies was selected to represent Canada in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 83rd Academy Awards, marking a significant milestone in its international recognition.

October 2010: Box Office Success in Canada

By October 2010, Incendies had surpassed the $1-million mark at the box office in Canada. This early success indicated the film's popularity and reception within the country.

2010: Positive Reception in Canada

In 2010, Incendies received positive reviews in its country and province. Critics like Kevin N. Laforest and Brendan Kelly praised Villeneuve's direction and the film's masterwork quality, while Lubna Azabal's performance was highly regarded.

2010: Selection for Film Festivals

In 2010, Incendies was officially selected to play in the 67th Venice International Film Festival and the 2010 Telluride Film Festival. This marked a significant step in the film's journey to international recognition.

2010: Release of Incendies

In 2010, Incendies, a Canadian war tragedy film directed by Denis Villeneuve, was released. The screenplay was co-written by Villeneuve and Valérie Beaugrand-Champagne, adapted from Wajdi Mouawad's play of the same name. The film stars Lubna Azabal, Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin, Maxim Gaudette, and Rémy Girard.

January 2011: Film Opening in Toronto and Vancouver

In January 2011, Incendies opened in Toronto and Vancouver, marking its release to a wider audience in Canada. This followed its earlier screenings at various film festivals in 2010.

January 2011: Academy Award Nomination

On January 19, 2011, Incendies made the shortlist for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, as one of nine films. On January 25, 2011, it officially received the nomination, further elevating its global prominence.

March 2011: Screening in Beirut

In March 2011, Incendies was screened in Beirut, where director Villeneuve noted that many people suggested showing the film to their children to illustrate the experiences they had endured. The film was distributed in the United States by Sony Pictures Classics.

April 2011: Gross Revenue Update

By the end of April 2011, Incendies had grossed $4.7 million in Canada, including $3 million in Quebec theatres alone. This financial success was considered significant for the film in its home country.

September 2011: End of Theatrical Run

Incendies completed its theatrical run on September 29, 2011. The film grossed $2,071,334 in the U.S. and achieved a worldwide total of $16,038,343, with $6,857,096 in North America and $9,181,247 in other territories.

2011: Nomination and Awards in 2011

In 2011, Incendies received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Additionally, the film garnered eight Genie Awards, including Best Motion Picture, solidifying its recognition within the Canadian film industry.

2011: Critical Acclaim and Recognition

In 2011, Roger Ebert praised Incendies, highlighting Azabal's compelling performance and the film's demonstration of the futility of religious hatred. Stephen Holden of The New York Times named it one of the 10 best films of the year. Betsy Sharkey of the Los Angeles Times called it Villeneuve's "best-realized work yet".

2011: Critical Reception and Analysis

In 2011, film scholar Claudia Kotte noted that Incendies, along with Monsieur Lazhar (2011), represented a shift in Quebec cinema towards global concerns and Oedipal themes. The film received positive reviews, though some critics found it melodramatic.

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2012: Commentary on Quebec Cinema

In 2012, War Witch was mentioned alongside Incendies (2010) and Monsieur Lazhar (2011) as a film that marked a shift in the Cinema of Quebec, moving from a focus on local history to broader, global concerns.

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2023: Digital Restoration Announced

In 2023, Telefilm Canada announced that Incendies was among 23 titles selected for digital restoration under the new Canadian Cinema Reignited program. This initiative aims to preserve classic Canadian films for future generations.

2025: Readers' Choice Edition of The 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century

In 2025, Incendies was voted for the "Readers' Choice" edition of The New York Times' list of "The 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century," finishing at number 127.