Flee is an animated documentary from Denmark that could win the popular Golden Statue in three categories at the Oscars (Best Documentary, Best Animated Feature, Best International Film). Jonas Poher Rasmussen tells the gripping story of his friend Amin, who confides in him for the first time in a personal conversation the truth about his flight from Afghanistan, which he has kept secret all these years.
The protagonist of the film is a true hero. At a young age, he had to leave the country of his birth, Afghanistan, with his family, although he had enjoyed his life there to the fullest until the war began. The disappearance of his father is the first big question mark in the film that does not leave us until the end. The relationships with his family members alone, be it his two sisters, his already elderly mother or especially his big brother, with whom he shares a very special bond, are fascinating. The cohesion that this family exudes in such a crisis situation and the love they have for each other goes very close and it is unimaginable how they must have felt during those times. All the things Amin experiences and witnesses on his journey through dictatorial and corrupt countries are staggering and it is hard to imagine what he had to go through to be where he ends up. Years later, in fact, he is an integrated citizen of Denmark, successful in his profession and living in a happy relationship with his partner. The fact that he has to hide his homosexuality, which we as viewers know about from the beginning, in his homophobic homeland is also an essential theme of this documentary. For although he is always aware of his attraction to men, he perceives it as a disease because of his environment. Even this hurdle in his life Amin was able to overcome in the end. The friendship story between him and Rasmussen, which results in him telling the director his big secret, is also very moving.
In terms of its chronology, Flee is told very simply, but at the same time it is an insanely complex character study. Amin is, as I said, a real fascination, how he managed to save himself as a homosexual refugee from Afghanistan, via Russia to Denmark and build a life there deserves respect and makes one proud of the character despite the anonymity. The second winner of this film is Rasmussen, who through his dedication to his friendship with Amin is able to tell this slightly confused feel-good story and give us something like hope. That the animation style also totally works and makes the narrative no less authentic is another great achievement.
The protagonist of the film is a true hero. At a young age, he had to leave the country of his birth, Afghanistan, with his family, although he had enjoyed his life there to the fullest until the war began. The disappearance of his father is the first big question mark in the film that does not leave us until the end. The relationships with his family members alone, be it his two sisters, his already elderly mother or especially his big brother, with whom he shares a very special bond, are fascinating. The cohesion that this family exudes in such a crisis situation and the love they have for each other goes very close and it is unimaginable how they must have felt during those times. All the things Amin experiences and witnesses on his journey through dictatorial and corrupt countries are staggering and it is hard to imagine what he had to go through to be where he ends up. Years later, in fact, he is an integrated citizen of Denmark, successful in his profession and living in a happy relationship with his partner. The fact that he has to hide his homosexuality, which we as viewers know about from the beginning, in his homophobic homeland is also an essential theme of this documentary. For although he is always aware of his attraction to men, he perceives it as a disease because of his environment. Even this hurdle in his life Amin was able to overcome in the end. The friendship story between him and Rasmussen, which results in him telling the director his big secret, is also very moving.
In terms of its chronology, Flee is told very simply, but at the same time it is an insanely complex character study. Amin is, as I said, a real fascination, how he managed to save himself as a homosexual refugee from Afghanistan, via Russia to Denmark and build a life there deserves respect and makes one proud of the character despite the anonymity. The second winner of this film is Rasmussen, who through his dedication to his friendship with Amin is able to tell this slightly confused feel-good story and give us something like hope. That the animation style also totally works and makes the narrative no less authentic is another great achievement.