Flee is an animated documentary telling the true story about a man's need to confront his past in order to truly have a future.Courtesy of Elevation Pictures
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Flee
Directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen
Written by Jonas Poher Rasmussen and Amin Nawabi
Classification PG; 90 minutes
Opens in select theatres Dec. 17
Critic’s Pick
Danish film director Jonas Poher Rasmussen’s newest film, Flee, uses animation in a twofold way: both in terms of a poignant visual aesthetic as well as in the service of a very necessary anonymity. Rasmussen follows the story of Amin Nawabi (a pseudonym), a young Afghan boy with an affection for pop culture, a healthy curiosity and understanding of his own queer identity, as he and his family experience the repeated displacement all too familiar to refugees.
The director serves almost as therapist, offering a compassionate setting for Amin – talking to us in the present now in his 30s – to tell his history. We are witness to both the emotional highs and lows that Amin has lived through, all of which are materialized in Flee with grace and an eye for the world’s kindnesses just as much as its cruelties. Amin’s story is given life and depth, charted here with a care for his wholeness rather than too simply his refugee status.
Amin’s story is given life and depth, charted here with a care for his wholeness rather than too simply his refugee status.Courtesy of Elevation Pictures
In the interest of consistency across all critics’ reviews, The Globe has eliminated its star-rating system in film and theatre to align with coverage of music, books, visual arts and dance. Instead, works of excellence will be noted with a Critic’s Pick designation across all coverage.