It's a simple yet shocking story that is INCREDIBLY well-told. Indeed, it is told in such a fashion that I've never experienced before (at least that I don't recall) - the animated documentary.
It makes a lot of sense. Standard documentary procedure has the participants or experts telling their perspective into the camera. This is tried and true because there's real power in having people tell you their stories. It's fundamental to sentient beings and is one of our distinguishing marks as humans. Still, this storytelling may not give one the sense of BEING there.
Animation - surprisingly - has the ability to do this. Because events can be recreated in exacting and stark details. And characters are no less human just because they're drawn. It helps that we're far past the time when anything animated is treated as cartoons and thus "kids stuff". Several decades of shows like The Simpsons, Family Guy and South Park will do that.
From Afghanistan to Russia. From Russia to Copenhagen. From Copenhagen to Princeton and then back again. We follow the nomadic Amin who is often running for his very life. This movie isn't inherently political but... But it does make the case for the refugee. It's my perception that film lovers tend to be better at empathy and thus do not need to be convinced: "Hey, what refugees go through really sucks and what little nations can do to help should be done." But there are many who need to hear and understand that message. I wonder if they'll ever get the opportunity to see this film. Now that it's a Sundance Winner... Maybe.
Although I might be a little hypocritical here. I've long had a bad impression of Russia and this movie didn't help that perception.
In addition to fleeing from conflict in his home country, Amin is trying to outrun something that he can't. He's a homosexual from a devout Muslim country and those two things inherently don't mix. Despite this, this documentary isn't a "gay" movie... And I was a little stunned how this issue was resolved. If resolved is the right word. Those who have seen this movie will know what I'm referring to. . Neon grabbed the Best Picture for an international film. Now they will get the best documentary, best animated feature, best international feature and best feature for a same movie - FLEE
It makes a lot of sense. Standard documentary procedure has the participants or experts telling their perspective into the camera. This is tried and true because there's real power in having people tell you their stories. It's fundamental to sentient beings and is one of our distinguishing marks as humans. Still, this storytelling may not give one the sense of BEING there.
Animation - surprisingly - has the ability to do this. Because events can be recreated in exacting and stark details. And characters are no less human just because they're drawn. It helps that we're far past the time when anything animated is treated as cartoons and thus "kids stuff". Several decades of shows like The Simpsons, Family Guy and South Park will do that.
From Afghanistan to Russia. From Russia to Copenhagen. From Copenhagen to Princeton and then back again. We follow the nomadic Amin who is often running for his very life. This movie isn't inherently political but... But it does make the case for the refugee. It's my perception that film lovers tend to be better at empathy and thus do not need to be convinced: "Hey, what refugees go through really sucks and what little nations can do to help should be done." But there are many who need to hear and understand that message. I wonder if they'll ever get the opportunity to see this film. Now that it's a Sundance Winner... Maybe.
Although I might be a little hypocritical here. I've long had a bad impression of Russia and this movie didn't help that perception.
In addition to fleeing from conflict in his home country, Amin is trying to outrun something that he can't. He's a homosexual from a devout Muslim country and those two things inherently don't mix. Despite this, this documentary isn't a "gay" movie... And I was a little stunned how this issue was resolved. If resolved is the right word. Those who have seen this movie will know what I'm referring to. . Neon grabbed the Best Picture for an international film. Now they will get the best documentary, best animated feature, best international feature and best feature for a same movie - FLEE