Flee

Un viaje íntimo a la vez que doloroso, Flee de 2021 es una película con una historia hermosa, una narrativa con la principal misión de lograr que empaticemos con el viaje de nuestro protagonista en un mundo oscuro del que pareciera que los mismos humanos se aprovechan de la tragedia externa para subsistir. Un camino tan largo a la vez que doloroso con el fin de tener la cotidianidad de la que tanto buscamos huir. Narrada tan melancólicamente cómo gratificante, "Flee", sigue la vida de Amin, un joven afgano, que después de desatarse la guerra en su país, el junto a toda su familia serán obligados a migrar a Rusia, dónde la falta de oportunidades y la discriminación por autoridades dictatoriales los obligará a nuevamente migrar ahora a Suecia, dónde su hermano y posteriormente sus hermanas radican, pero el camino a volverse a juntar será aún más doloroso cómo sugestivo; teniendo que "afrontar" su homosexualidad mientras intenta encontrar su lugar cómo persona en un país que siempre que sale a la calle le recuerdan que está muy lejos de su hogar. Es curioso el cómo se paraleliza el estado de inmigrante de nuestro protagonista con su orientación sexual, siendo para mi un mensaje "fortuito" en el desarrollo narrativo del cómo (aunque en extremos totalmente diferentes) todos constantemente buscamos nuestra autenticidad cómo seres humanos, el que nos distingue del resto a la vez que buscamos ser parte de una sociedad aún más grande y diversa; el largo y difícil camino que tenemos que superar para aceptarnos a nosotros mismos. Lo difícil que puede ser para nosotros abrirnos y ver en retrospectiva todo lo que hemos tenido que superar para estar dónde estamos, el cómo cada acción positiva o negativa ya sea propia o externa nos ha marcado, haciendo que directa o indirectamente repercutan en nuestro futuro. Una película que nos recuerda que siempre hubo alguien detrás de nosotros y cómo nuestros logros y la persona que llegamos a ser no son individuales. Una animación sencilla pero hermosa, con poderosas secuencias que nos recuerda el cómo la lucha por la estabilidad social sigue tan ferviente cómo hace 30 años, siendo esta una historia entre millones. Flee es simple, pero con una narrativa potentemente personal, que sin pelos en la lengua nuestro protagonista nos cuenta desde su lado más vulnerable de su turbio pasado cómo de sus complicaciones actuales. Una retrospectiva esperanzadora cómo trágica. Dónde las cicatrices por más que las ocultemos nunca desaparecerán, siendo un recordatorio de nuestro camino, pero no por ello teniendo que afectar nuestro presente.

I've heard this is good and know it's to do with asylum and it's animated, but apart from that I'm pretty much in the dark. Yeah, it's an interesting one. It's presented as a interview with Amin as he tells his story of how he got from his childhood in Kabul to his relatively normal and ostensibly happy present day circumstances in Copenhagen. It's part therapy session, part documentary - mostly animated, but mixed in with home video and news footage. And it's a fascinating story which makes you really appreciate the easy life you have - and that's as much as I feel the need to tell you. The animation is very well done with a variety of styles being used to represent different phases of his life or different levels of peril/trauma he's facing. And there's quite some peril/trauma, I can tell you - the film has plenty of interesting points to make on the effects of trauma (some more successfully than others). They also make some interesting choices with the animation eg they include the clapperboards in the interview sections, but animate them. It's a simplistic comparison to make (animated, foreign, refugee), but I was reminded of Persepolis at various points - if you like that, there's a strong chance you'll like this (and vice versa). Waltz With Bashir is another comparison that Wikipedia offers which I can quite agree with. Looking at Wikipedia, the story behind the film is even more complex than the film portrays - Amin is a real person and has known Jonas Poher Rasmussen, the director, since they were both teenagers. And some of the story that comes out in the film isn't something that Amin has ever told anyone - including his partner, Jasper, who's also in the film. Which must have resulted in some interesting discussions, but hopefully it was a therapeutic exercise for all involved. Wikipedia also tells me that it's got an interesting couple of executive producers on board - Riz Ahmed and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jamie Lannister in Game Of Thrones - who worked for free because he admired the film so much). It doesn't really feel like I can say this is an enjoyable film, but it's certainly a good film. It's a very worthy and admirable film telling a complex story in a clever, understandable and beautiful way but it never feels like it's lecturing you. Personally, I would have liked to spend a bit more time with present-day Amin but there's only so much time available and decisions have to be made that not everyone will agree with. Lots of people also won't want to watch a film featuring a gay refugee - but they're exactly the sort of people who should be watching it to see if it doesn't make them feel the tiniest bit "woke". At time of writing, it's available to rent in all the usual places and I think it should be prescribed viewing.

I cannot rate this movie highly enough. I was sceptical about the format, but came out deeply moved. Great film!

Beautiful, heartbreaking, personal and so unique!

At this point it's going to be so hard to top Flee. It tells the extraordinary true story of a man, Amin, on the verge of marriage which compels him to reveal his hidden past for the first time. Rather than a typical documentary style, it goes for an animated approach in the form of mockumentary. Never does it feel like a documentary which is extraordinary. The animation is simplistic yet looks so dynamic. It also blends archive footage to remind us the realness of it all. The story is tragic and amazing. We're told of Amin's experience fleeing country to country in hopes for a better life. It's a thrilling ride from start to finish. I'm not sure how anyone couldn't like it. This is the best of the festival and one of the best of the year!

Jonas Poher Rasmussen brings audiences a heart-wrenching look into the lives of refugees and the extreme lengths they go to for safety. ‘Flee' tells the story of one man's escape from a warzone as his past finally catches up with him and threatens to ruin his life. The film has gone on to dominate this year's award season since it's premiere at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, being nominated for multiple Oscars and BAFTAs and also a Golden Globe. ‘Flee' tells the story of Amin, who, now on the cusp of marriage, must confront his past and his journey to a new life. This hidden past now threatens to ruin the life he has created, as for the first time, he shares his story. Starting in 1980s Kabul, audiences are taking on a globe-trotting migration through Afghanistan, Russia and Denmark as Amin details his extraordinary tale of endurance as a child refugee forced to flee violent conflict. The film uses a mixture of archival footage and animation to allow Amin to disclose his harrowing past, while allowing him to remain anonymous. Rasmussen doesn't skimp on the intense details of Amin's journey, from corruption in Russia, to human trafficking and inhumane conditions refugees are forced to suffer for a chance at a better life. Not only does ‘Flee' delve into the first-hand experiences of refugees, but it also explores how the media treats these people, doing nothing except broadcast their struggles for the world to watch. The film's powerful subject matter, along with its unique presentation, are an obvious explanation as to why ‘Flee' broke records when the 2022 Academy Award nominations were announced. It is the first film to be nominated for Best Documentary Feature, Best Animated Feature and Best Foreign Film (submitted by Denmark). It gives those who may not be familiar with the issues and struggles that surround refugees, a chance to see just how heart-breaking it can be in order to be safe. It deals with Amin's internal struggles as he tries to find his place in the world, having to mature way too fast while also having to come to terms with your sexuality in a culture that isn't supportive. However, family is arguably the most important theme throughout the movie, with Amin and his family constantly relying on each other for both financial and emotional support as they struggle to stay together. Rasmussen and Amin bring audiences onto the other side of the refugee crisis, the side movies, TV, and the media shy away from, painting a portrait of life many of us will never experience. Jonas Poher Rasmussen brings audiences a deeply personal character study through the anonymity of animation. The work of a plethora of people, including a long list of producers like Riz Ahmed and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, has allowed for a narrative all too familiar to some, to be brought to the big screen in a unique way. 90 minutes is all it takes for Rasmussen to create a bond between Amin and the viewers that makes the happy ending so much better. ‘Flee' firmly establishes itself as one of 2021's best films with a tragic story at its core, told through a distinctive visual style.

Great film! In one work: authentic. Even though it seems counterintuitive, the fact that it's animated and dubbed just brings in some new level of authenticity and vividness. I liked how the movie wasn't only about fleeing but was done through his reflecting on his past.

The best documentary movie ever made!

A beautifully human and moving portrait of diaspora, trauma and processing memories which is held together with incredibly emotive and expressionistic animation, albeit sometimes rigid and clunky.

The story moved me. The animation did not. Still, a powerful journey that will make you appreciate the fight for freedom and a mother's love and willingness to sacrifice everything for her children.