Incendies explores the layers of hatred and violence in a fictitious Middle Eastern country over the past 30 years. As the movie opens, two 20-something siblings are hearing their mother's will. They are given two envelopes. One to give to their brother, who they didn't know existed, and the second for their father, who they thought was long dead. From the safety of Canada, they are thrust into the dangerous world of the Mid-East to honor their mother's will and discover a bizarre outcome. In a Better World is directed by one of my fave Danish film makers, Susanne Bier. The Danish title is, aptly enough, Revenge. Bier examines violence and revenge in two parallel stories: one set in medical camp for refugees in an un-named African country, the second in a Danish grade school. It also casts a sharp eye on families under intense stress. Lots of good acting from Mikael Persbrandt, Trine Dyrholm and the young Markus Rygaard. Also, check Bier's earlier work After the Wedding, with a great performance by my fave, Mads Mikkelson.
The story for In a Better World was written by Anders Thomas Jensen. For a more lighthearted film, see Flickering Lights, which he directed. Here some bumbling crooks try to escape from the mob, fleeing into the countryside, buying a run down house, and eventually opening a bad restaurant. It has a sweet vibe and a happy ending, whew!
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