Flee

Cert - 15, Run-time - 1 hour 29 minutes,

Director - Jonas Poher Rasmussen

Animated documentary following Amin Nawabi as he recounts his childhood in 80s and 90s Afghanistan before finding refuge in Denmark.

“Most people can’t begin to understand how fleeing like that affects you,” states Amin Nawabi after having recounted much of his tale from growing up in 80s and 90s Afghanistan, finding refuge in Denmark via post-Soviet Russia. His words are true. As an audience we witness much of his story as it’s translated into animation. It brings a more visual sense to the piece, and thanks to a handful of different styles, helps to get more across, forming a stronger connection with the viewer.

Within the short run-time, Flee is filled with detail outside of the animation. It comes in Nawabi’s words as he relives tragedies in his life, simply to gain freedom. He’s given this by Director and, more clearly, his friend, Jonas Poher Rasmussen, to tell his story as it comes to him. It’s clear when moments are being slightly filled in, and where we are thanks to a handful of slightly different animation styles. Darker moments of fighting for safety and survival are portrayed with slightly scratchier animation, an almost hand-drawn style. It brings the audience further into the story as the world feels even more detailed beyond what we’re already being told. Even by seeing animated interpretations of the interview set-up, Amin occasionally lying down as if in a therapy session, the film could be seen as the events playing out in Nawabi’s mind.

As we look into the world described, we’re allowed time to focus on the story instead of hearing descriptions of surroundings. It creates a closer bond with Amin, all creating a finer sense of flow to his words and an overall stripped back nature to the way in which he and Rasmussen speak. All helping when it comes to the way he initially interacts with the open world; honest thoughts that come to mind in regards to living in Denmark and visiting America.

At each stage of the life story there’s thoughtfulness for the subject as a person, not just his story. Learning about and understanding his sexuality in a time and country where homosexuality is largely unacknowledged, and, if seen, simply deemed as wrong and met with severe consequences. Such moments break through well and fit naturally into Amin’s tale. While the film’s focus is still very much on his physical journeys in increasingly desperate search for safety and “a life” there’s still space to occasionally get glimpses of contrasts in lifestyles. Confinement, uncertainly, isolation and fear not quite gone in an instant.

Again, all further displayed in the highly visceral animation which connects us to understand the effect that fleeing has had on Amin. While we might not be able to do so fully, Flee certainly does a good job of getting us some of the way there. Particularly on a level of personal change and emotion.

***** <-- Four Stars Jamie Skinner