Incendies (2:10) 2011

Jeanne and Simon are twins living in Canada when their mother dies. During the reading of the will, they learn that their father is alive and they have an older brother. Before they can obtain their inheritance, the mother requires that they give both their father and brother letters she has written. The mother, Nawal, is a native of Lebanon and has kept her past a secret. Jeanne flies to her mother's village and begins to uncover facts of her mother's life. She learns the her mother was in prison after she left her village. Nawal's early life is shown in flashbacks. Jeanne begins to learn some of the sad details of her mother's life and calls for her brother, Simon for moral support. The twins soon uncover all the sordid details. The message of the mother is that through love, the cycle of violence can be broken. It crossed my mind that the message could also be "ignorance is bliss." Incendies was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Film proving that Canadian films are not always lightweights.  Shot in Lebanon, the scenery is fantastic. The movie was extremely well acted. I thought the ending was a light far fetched but the two hour movie will keep you enthralled.  Incendies belongs high up on the rental queue.