All That Breathes
Bird docu shows effects of climate change; some language.
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All That Breathes
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that All That Breathes is an Oscar-nominated Indian documentary about two brothers who care for injured birds in New Delhi. The two brothers the film revolves around, Saud and Nadeem, are caring, compassionate, and determined in their mission. They also engage in conversations while they work, ranging from the the trivial to shrugging off gossip about a potential nuclear war between India and Pakistan. To the camera, they talk in depth about climate change and how pollution is harming the bird population of their city. Dead and distressed animals are shown. There is also discussion about the persecution of Muslims, and news footage shows civil unrest and reports on shootings. Occasionally the brothers argue, which includes occasional swearing such as "f---ing" and "s--t."
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What's the Story?
ALL THAT BREATHES shows how two brothers, Saud and Nadeem, rescue and care for birds in New Delhi, most notably its black kite population.
Is It Any Good?
This Oscar-nominated documentary is a thoughtful and layered meditation on a remarkable slice of modern life. All That Breathes might revolve around two brothers and their dedication to caring for the ailing black kite population of their New Delhi home, but in reality it is about much more than that. Director Shaunak Sen captures not only a passion that drives his subjects to do something admirable, but also the predicament that makes the brothers' lives unique. Environmental change and neglect cause them to contend with flooding, disintegrating infrastructure, and polluted air, which affect their home lives as well as the birds'. Meanwhile, they must be both patient and persistent in their attempts to bolster their Wildlife Rescue clinic with a government grant.
Threaded through the main narrative we get glimpses of the sectarian tensions that blight modern India and cause additional anxiety. But, wisely, All That Breathes avoids trying to lean heavily on metaphors or push an agenda. Instead it does what all good documentaries do, and asks its audience to look inward to see the world through different eyes.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the relationship between Saud and Nadeem in All That Breathes. How does their relationship compare to that of other siblings you know? What motivates them and what character strengths drive them on?
How did the film show how climate change is affecting the birds at the center of the story? How did this make you think about how our way of life impacts the environment?
Discuss the civil unrest and politics that played in the background of the film. How do these issues affect the subjects' lives? Why do you think the filmmaker chose to combine the two?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: February 7, 2023
- Cast: Salik Rehman, Mohammad Saud, Nadeem Shehzad
- Director: Shaunak Sen
- Studio: HBO Documentary Films
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: Great Boy Role Models, Science and Nature, Wild Animals
- Character Strengths: Compassion, Empathy, Perseverance
- Run time: 97 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: February 25, 2023
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