Every once in a while a movie comes along that is so unique yet relatable, so heartbreaking yet joyful, loathsome yet generous, that you are compelled to make certain that everyone you have ever met watches it. For me, director Jonas Poher Rasmussen’s documentary “Flee” is one of those films.
This movie documents the life of Amin, a refugee who fled Afghanistan in the mid-80s, as a result of the civil war. After his father is taken away, never to be seen again, and one of his brothers is drafted into the Afghani military, Amin and his family try to escape to Russia. Because this was also the period of the collapse of communism in Russia, finding food and work for their family was nearly impossible, especially as immigrants, so once again, they were forced to try to leave. In order to escape the corrupt Russian police, they had to use various human traffickers to find their way to safer countries. Because the costs were so high, they had to leave one or two at a time, leading them to be scattered across Europe.
In addition to the stress of never feeling safe where he lived, Amin was also hiding a secret from his family. As a young gay man and a refugee, there was nowhere he felt that he could fully be himself. There seemed to be danger in every aspect of his life, and through the telling of his story, we see how this fragmentation had impacted him as an adult.
One thing I have neglected to mention so far is that this documentary is told almost entirely through animation. To protect Amin’s identity and safety, Rasmussen has animated all of the interviews and recollections. There is some archival footage sprinkled throughout the movie to punctuate the reality of Amin’s lived experience, but the bulk of the story is animated.
What is truly wonderful is that there are two styles of animation. One that tends toward more realism, but one that is devoid of color and deeply impressionistic to depict some of the most horrific events Amin experienced. Using animation in this way enhances the story significantly.
But despite all of the pain and loss that Amin suffers, this is still a hopeful film. In the midst of the atrocities he endures, we also see a young boy running carefree through his hometown, listening to Wham! We see Amin visit his first gay bar, fully embracing that part of himself. We see Amin looking for a house with his partner Kasper. We see the bond of friendship that Amin and Rasmussen have, as they recall how they met. Over and over, we see moments of kindness in a world stained with cruelty.
I do not think it is the purview of films to change minds, but I believe “Flee” may achieve that. At the very least, I hope it invites more tenderness toward those who we may see as other. To encourage us all to remember that we’re just walking each other home.
ALISE CHAFFINS is a Morgantown writer who loves movies and sharing her opinions. Find more at MacGuffin or Meaning on Substack.
