This is a story of twins who, upon their mother’s last wishes, set out on a journey to the Middle East to search for their tangled roots. Their mother’s will from a notary holds a shocking message to find the father they thought was dead and a brother they have never heard of. Through this journey, even more shocking truths unveil, taking both the twins and the viewers through a ’memory lane of torture’. The twins’ path to the truth is as dramatic as their journey, full of conflicts and thrills. It fills up the running time of 2 hours and 10 minutes, which by any means isn’t short, but doesn’t hold an ounce of excess baggage, proving the brilliant harmony between the storyline, acting and directing. The film is reflective, but also critical of the world and humanity. It illustrates inseparable relationship between the history of a society and that of individuals, and how the two intertwine. It reveals the instability of one’s life that is deceivingly hidden through the structure called society. [Incendies] with its uncanny story, in additions to terrific visual and audio effects, and impressive actors, not only is a proof of advancement of Canadian cinema surely to be verified in this year’s PIFF, but it also possesses all the qualities to be one of the classics of the future. The film was adapted from Wajdi Mouawad’s hit play, [Incendies]. (JEON Chanil)