Flee
STORY: A
Flee follows the life story of Amin (not his actual name). Amin grew up in Afghanistan in the 1980s. When Russian forces withdraw after a long and unsuccessful war, the brutal Taliban sweep in and seize control of the country. Amin’s family is forced to flee their home.
It’s an amazing story. Amin’s thrilling journey to freedom is filled with danger, desperation and unyielding hope. But also, it’s what we talk about when we talk about history repeating itself. America pulled their forces out this past summer just to watch the Taliban take back the country seemingly overnight. Flee offers us a frightening glimpse into what is happening in Afghanistan right now. The terror Amin faces is the exact same terror countless Afghanis are experiencing right now. History lessons aren’t always only about history.
SUBJECT: A
As Amin tells his story to his dear friend (director, Jonas Poher Rasmussen), we are quickly whisked away to the days of his childhood. His sexual orientation is apparent (at least to us) in the first frame. That aspect of his identity puts him in even greater danger when the Taliban take control. But in the happy times before that, his childhood is much like anybody else’s. He plays with toys. He hugs his loving mom. He runs wherever he goes, since walking is for suckers and old people.
My attention and empathy shouldn’t depend upon “relating” to this young kid who grew up half a world away, but I do relate to him. And it makes it that much more gutting when his world begins crumbling around him. Imagine waking up one day and suddenly not being able to rely on anything. Not your house being there, not the police to protect you, not having anyone or anything to turn to for help outside of your immediate family - who all are in the same situation as you. Even as a successful adult, Amin can’t show his face on film. It is impossible not to root for him.
CRAFT: A
Rasmussen recorded hours and hours of intimate, striking conversations about Amin’s past. We get pulled even deeper into Amin’s story by the film’s editing. Editor Janus Billeskov Jansen masterfully arranges the clips to gently bounce between Amin’s past and his present life. Revelations Amin makes about his current situation illuminate the events of the past and raise the tension. The more we come to care about Amin’s current situation as an adult, the more we care about his childhood plight.
ANIMATION (Elective Class): A+
The choice to animate the film was a practical one. First, Amin needs to stay anonymous. He still can’t reveal the full truth of his past without putting himself and others in danger. Second, the animation drops us into the pivotal moments of his life. We are right there alongside him as he struggles to survive and find a place he can call home.
The animation also portrays things as Amin remembers them, not as they actually were. Every moment is cinematic. The colors are brighter during the happier times. The sun disappears when danger looms. The camera spins in times of confusion and worry. Video can’t always capture the emotions of a moment. The animation allows the filmmakers to communicate those emotions, bringing us closer to Amin as a result.
FINAL COMMENTS:
I asked you earlier to imagine that there was nothing you could rely on for help. Maybe you can imagine it. Maybe you live it.
If so, it’s sad but certain that not all of you will have feature films made about your lives. That’s not to say your life isn’t important or precious enough to be a movie.
As someone who through a little work and a whole lot of luck has never had to experience any true trials of this nature, I want you to know that I wish I did know your story. Your story needs to be told. More importantly, it needs to be heard.
Flee will stake out a place in your memory and sit there a long time. Perhaps forever. I hope it inspires me and others to step outside our silos and do what we can to change the world into a place where no one is terrorized because of what they believe or who they love.