History of Incendies in Timeline

Incendies, a 2010 Canadian drama directed by Denis Villeneuve, follows twins Jeanne and Simon Marwan as they unravel their mother Nawal's mysterious past after her death. Nawal's will tasks them with finding a brother they never knew existed and their presumed-dead father. Their journey takes them to the Middle East, where they confront the brutal realities of war and Nawal's involvement as a political prisoner. They uncover shocking truths about their family history, including a devastating revelation about the identity of their brother and father, ultimately exposing the cyclical nature of violence and the enduring impact of war on individuals and families.

1975: Start of the Lebanese Civil War

In 1975, the Lebanese Civil War began, serving as a backdrop for the events that would later inspire the story of Incendies.

1990: End of the Lebanese Civil War

In 1990, the Lebanese Civil War ended. These events form a key part of the backstory that inspired the events within Incendies.

2004: Denis Villeneuve Sees Incendies Play

In 2004, director Denis Villeneuve attended a performance of Wajdi Mouawad's play 'Incendies' at Théâtre de Quat'Sous in Montreal, feeling it was a masterpiece.

2005: Paradise Now influences casting

In 2005, director Denis Villeneuve was intrigued by Lubna Azabal's expressive face in the film 'Paradise Now', influencing his decision to cast her in the lead role of Nawal in Incendies.

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March 2009: Principal Photography Begins

In March 2009, specifically on March 15th, principal photography commenced for the film Incendies, taking place in Montreal and Jordan.

2009: Villeneuve wins Rogers Best Canadian Film Award

In 2009, along with Incendies, Villeneuve won the Rogers Best Canadian Film Award for the film Polytechnique, becoming the first Canadian filmmaker to win it twice in a row.

September 2010: Incendies Premieres at Film Festivals and Release in Quebec

In September 2010, Incendies premiered at the Venice and Toronto Film Festivals. It was subsequently released in Quebec on September 17, 2010, to widespread critical acclaim both in Canada and internationally.

September 2010: Incendies Chosen to Represent Canada at Academy Awards

On September 22, 2010, Incendies was selected to represent Canada in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 83rd Academy Awards.

October 2010: Incendies Passes $1 Million at Box Office in Canada

By October 2010, Incendies had surpassed the $1 million mark at the box office in Canada.

2010: Positive Reception in Canada

In 2010, Incendies received positive reviews in Canada, with critics like Brendan Kelly of The Montreal Gazette calling it a "masterwork".

2010: Film Festival Selections

In 2010, Incendies was selected to play at the 67th Venice International Film Festival and the 2010 Telluride Film Festival.

2010: Release of Incendies

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

January 2011: Incendies Opens in Toronto and Vancouver

In January 2011, Incendies premiered in Toronto and Vancouver after being selected to play in the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and the 2011 New Directors/New Films Festival.

January 2011: Incendies Nominated for Academy Award

On January 25, 2011, Incendies was officially nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, after making the shortlist on January 19th.

March 2011: Screening in Beirut

In March 2011, Incendies was screened in Beirut, with director Denis Villeneuve noting that many people expressed the desire to show the film to their children to illustrate their past experiences.

April 2011: Incendies Grosses $4.7 Million in Canada

By the end of April 2011, Incendies had grossed $4.7 million in Canada, with $3 million coming from Quebec theatres alone, marking it as a success in the country.

September 2011: Theatrical Run Concludes

On September 29, 2011, Incendies concluded its theatrical run, grossing $2,071,334 in the U.S. and achieving a worldwide total of $16,038,343.

2011: Film Analysis and Critical Reception

In 2011, Incendies continued to garner attention, with Claudia Kotte noting its shift from local history to global concerns in Quebec cinema.

2011: Incendies Nominated for Academy Award and Wins Genie Awards

In 2011, Incendies received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Additionally, it secured eight Genie Awards, including the prestigious Best Motion Picture award.

2011: Critical Acclaim and Academy Award Prediction

In 2011, Roger Ebert gave Incendies three and a half stars and named it his favorite to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Stephen Holden of The New York Times named the film as one of the 10 best films of the year.

2012: Film Analysis and Critical Reception

In 2012, Incendies continued to garner attention, with Claudia Kotte noting its shift from local history to global concerns in Quebec cinema.

2023: Telefilm Canada Announces Digital Restoration

In 2023, Telefilm Canada announced that Incendies would be one of 23 titles to undergo digital restoration as part of its Canadian Cinema Reignited program, aimed at preserving classic Canadian films.

2025: Incendies Listed in NY Times "Readers' Choice" Edition

In 2025, Incendies was listed as number 127 in the "Readers' Choice" edition of The New York Times' list of "The 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century."