A One Mann’s Movies review of “Flee” (“Flugt”) (2021).
“Flee” (currently available to rent on the BFI Player) is another Oscar catch up movie for me that REALLY covers the bases. I was intrigued that it is nominated for Oscars in the categories of “Animated Film”, “Documentary” AND “International Film”, making Oscar history. It’s also up for “Best Documentary” at this weekend’s BAFTAs.
Now, I know that in recent weeks I have commented that lighthearted movies like “The Duke” and “The Phantom of the Open” have been wonderful escapes from the horror of the WAR in Ukraine following Russia’s unprovoked INVASION of the country. (Ya hear me Putin? Come and arrest me why don’t cha). But here is the exact opposite: a movie that documents, at a gut wrenching level, the horrific experiences of those refugees displaced by war. As such, this is a sombre, but very timely, watch.
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
Amin Nawabi, of Afghan origin, is living with his male partner in Copenhagen. He is interviewed as a part of a documentary and tells the story of his family’s escape from Kabul and onwards from Moscow at the hands of unscrupulous people smugglers.
Certification:
This BBFC 15 certificate strikes me as overly harsh. I think this is a movie that 12+ children should usefully be able to watch. Yes, there is some news footage of war situations and brief glimpses of dead bodies, but nothing that isn’t currently – sadly – on the 6 o’clock news.
Talent:
Starring: (Voice talents of) Fardin Mijdzadeh, Daniel Karimyar, Belal Faiz.
Directed by: Jonas Poher Rasmussen.
Written by: Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Amin Nawabi.
Twitter Handle: #FleeMov; #FleeMovie.
“Flee” Review:
Positives:
- I’m generally not someone who is particularly into documentaries and not someone who is particularly into animated films. But this is something else. A work that really gets to the heart behind the headlines. The film deftly blends standard animation, more abstract (and astonishingly effective) surrealist ink works and real-life documentary news footage to tell a story that, once seen, I don’t think I will forget.
- The film could have stuck to the linear tale of Amin’s eventful journey, but we also flash back to the present day to see the EFFECTS of that journey on the man. For example, how his experiences have damaged his trust in authority and his ability to effectively communicate with others. The way in which he changes his initial story, as the interviewer gains his trust and ‘lets him in’, is quite moving.
- The music is particularly well chosen, mixing upbeat tracks from the likes of A-ha, Roxette and Ace of Base with haunting cello and choral-based music by Uno Helmersson that is really something special. (You can hear the soundtrack album on Spotify here).
Negatives:
- The film is at its most gripping as it recounts the journey of Amin to his final destination. But, as above, the film quite rightly reflects on the long-term effects of his experiences and, for me, in so doing it lost some of its momentum. This was particularly the case in the ‘present day’ scenes with Amin’s boyfriend Kasper.
Summary Thoughts on “Flee”
How “Flee” fares at the Oscars will be interesting to watch. It is the rank outsider in the animation category, but – particularly with the current situation in Ukraine – part of me would love to see it take the crown from the ‘traditional’ Disney fare. But it’s really like trying to compare the art work of John Constable with Tracey Emin: they might both be brilliant but feel like they shouldn’t even be in the same competition.
Notwithstanding the nonsense of the awards, “Flee” is well worth the investment of your time and (at the moment at least) your rental money. It’s a movie that is touching, beautiful to look at and thought provoking.
Trailer for “Flee”
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzUVeuX1u04 .
