With the grand total of two movies I saw in theaters in 2021, 'Flee' was featured in trailers before both, and though curious I was not so interested as to seek it out. Thankfully, sometimes the arbiters of Awards Season do something right, and the triad of nominations this has earned for the forthcoming 94th Academy Awards brought it to the forefront of my attention - and deservedly so: it's tragic, and heartbreaking, but also extraordinary in ways I couldn't possibly have imagined. This is not an easy movie to watch, but it is unquestionably essential - and hands down one of the best films of 2021, and of recent memory.
The construction of the feature is a stroke of brilliance. Strictly speaking 'Flee' is a documentary, but subject Amin's recollections, and indeed the "modern day" scenes grown-up Amin shares with the filmmaker, are animated so as to cloak the identities of those involved, but also to present a dynamic rendition of the story he relates. The 2-D work of the illustrators is simple, but very effective in communicating the course of events and the emotions of the figures. Moreover, the static backgrounds are often downright beautiful as they offer up various landscapes as settings for each scene. Factor in archived footage, including news reports, to cement the context for everything of which Amin speaks, and the result is utterly transfixing. No matter how devastating the film may be throughout much of its length, it's all but impossible to tear our eyes away.
Incredible as Amin's tale is, there's no mistaking that it's one that has played out time and again in history, and continues to. There is so much terrible history, cruel politics and policy-making, and abject prejudices wrapped up in the narrative 'Flee' imparts: The regular invasion and occupation of Afghanistan throughout history by various powers, exploited as nothing more than a pawn even by those trusted with its governance, while no effort is made to better the lives of its people. Corruption. Homophobia. Human trafficking, and all the squalor and horror that comes with it - but also the faint hope it represents for refugees, far from home, who have no other recourse. The separation of families. Racism, xenophobia, and the total denial of human rights as a concern. The extreme, lasting trauma that even a fragment of these experiences may ingrain. Even for viewers who haven't encountered any such circumstances, the very nature of the subject matter is heart-rending, and the very synopsis is one massive content warning. Even knowing all obviously ends well for our storyteller - when at last, within about the last ten minutes, young Amin finally receives some validation, the cathartic release is staggering.
On the face of it, glimpsing 'Flee' from a distance, there's not necessarily anything about it to capture one's imagination. But any doubts I may have had last year were eased by news of the Oscar nominations, and totally washed away within minutes of pressing "play" - not only does 'Flee' fully deserve each of those nominations (and I think the awards, too), but in this moment I'm rather surprised it wasn't also nominated for Best Picture. It is wholly riveting from the very start, and for all that is woven into the story of Amin's life, by default there is also crucial messaging at the core about human rights, as they must apply without exception to everyone in all situations. I'm truly blown away: mixed expectations were raised considerably, and still completely upended. In no way is this a feature of the sort that customarily draws the attention of a general audience (the triple whammy of a documentary, animation, and LGBTQ topics) - yet in addition to its sheer excellence, those qualities are exactly what makes this a critical must-see for each and every possible viewer. There's little more I can say without revealing details of the content: 'Flee' is an astounding, terrific picture, one of the very best of the last year in the very least, and it earns my most sincere and enthusiastic recommendation. Wherever you can watch this, you must.
The construction of the feature is a stroke of brilliance. Strictly speaking 'Flee' is a documentary, but subject Amin's recollections, and indeed the "modern day" scenes grown-up Amin shares with the filmmaker, are animated so as to cloak the identities of those involved, but also to present a dynamic rendition of the story he relates. The 2-D work of the illustrators is simple, but very effective in communicating the course of events and the emotions of the figures. Moreover, the static backgrounds are often downright beautiful as they offer up various landscapes as settings for each scene. Factor in archived footage, including news reports, to cement the context for everything of which Amin speaks, and the result is utterly transfixing. No matter how devastating the film may be throughout much of its length, it's all but impossible to tear our eyes away.
Incredible as Amin's tale is, there's no mistaking that it's one that has played out time and again in history, and continues to. There is so much terrible history, cruel politics and policy-making, and abject prejudices wrapped up in the narrative 'Flee' imparts: The regular invasion and occupation of Afghanistan throughout history by various powers, exploited as nothing more than a pawn even by those trusted with its governance, while no effort is made to better the lives of its people. Corruption. Homophobia. Human trafficking, and all the squalor and horror that comes with it - but also the faint hope it represents for refugees, far from home, who have no other recourse. The separation of families. Racism, xenophobia, and the total denial of human rights as a concern. The extreme, lasting trauma that even a fragment of these experiences may ingrain. Even for viewers who haven't encountered any such circumstances, the very nature of the subject matter is heart-rending, and the very synopsis is one massive content warning. Even knowing all obviously ends well for our storyteller - when at last, within about the last ten minutes, young Amin finally receives some validation, the cathartic release is staggering.
On the face of it, glimpsing 'Flee' from a distance, there's not necessarily anything about it to capture one's imagination. But any doubts I may have had last year were eased by news of the Oscar nominations, and totally washed away within minutes of pressing "play" - not only does 'Flee' fully deserve each of those nominations (and I think the awards, too), but in this moment I'm rather surprised it wasn't also nominated for Best Picture. It is wholly riveting from the very start, and for all that is woven into the story of Amin's life, by default there is also crucial messaging at the core about human rights, as they must apply without exception to everyone in all situations. I'm truly blown away: mixed expectations were raised considerably, and still completely upended. In no way is this a feature of the sort that customarily draws the attention of a general audience (the triple whammy of a documentary, animation, and LGBTQ topics) - yet in addition to its sheer excellence, those qualities are exactly what makes this a critical must-see for each and every possible viewer. There's little more I can say without revealing details of the content: 'Flee' is an astounding, terrific picture, one of the very best of the last year in the very least, and it earns my most sincere and enthusiastic recommendation. Wherever you can watch this, you must.