Flee
Flee
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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 Flee is a profound Danish animated documentary (with English subtitles) about a refugee's journey, with tough themes and content but always told with compassion and empathy. Amin (voiced by Daniel Karimyar and Fardin Mijdzadeh), the subject of this documentary, is incredibly courageous. Given that he's gay, there's an added element of self-discovery -- becoming proud and comfortable in his own body and sexuality -- all while he's experiencing homelessness. Amin encounters much discrimination along the way, both for being a refugee and for being gay. Archive footage intersperses the animation and shows disturbing imagery, such as blood-soaked corpses on the ground. But the film in general is more affecting in its narration than in its visuals, including upsetting stories about human trafficking and a boat journey where people drowned. There are brief uses of the word "f--k" and glimpses of people smoking, and a character is evidently drunk as he walks down the street. The film offers a platform to an underrepresented minority, to tell their story, on their terms, in a hugely compassionate way that's full of humanity.
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Animated documentary film is a trend I hope continues
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What's the Story?
FLEE is an animated documentary that chronicles the extraordinary life of Amin Nawabi (voiced by Daniel Karimyar and Fardin Mijdzadeh), who traveled from war-torn Afghanistan to Europe. A gay man, now residing in Denmark and on the brink of marrying his partner, Amin uses this life event to confront his past and to recount the challenges he faced as a refugee to get where he is today.
Is It Any Good?
This powerful animated documentary, which is so full of compassion and empathy, is one of the most striking pieces of filmmaking witnessed for years. Flee is fully deserving of its three Oscar nominations: for Best Documentary, Best International Feature Film, and Best Animated Feature. It's so layered and moving that it almost overwhelms you. Director Jonas Poher Rasmussen moves so seamlessly between animation and archive footage, employing a technique that really hammers home the realism that can often be lost in the former art form.
At times the film is almost too difficult to digest, yet it's impossible to turn away from, remaining cinematic throughout. But above anything, it's just a staggering story -- one that is somehow so full of hope. By bringing compassion and a sense of humanity to a subject that dominates headlines around the world, Flee is a reminder that we're all the same, and that we should be seeking to help each other, not resist one another.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how refugees are portrayed in Flee. What are some reasons people make these often dangerous journeys? Are you a refugee, or do you know any refugees? How did Amin's experience compare?
In what ways did Amin show courage, perseverance, and communication? Why are these such important character strengths to have? Can you think of any times when you've displayed these traits?
Talk about the strong language in the film. Did it seem necessary, or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
How would you compare the violence and peril discussed and shown in the film to what you would see in an action or thriller movie? Which has more impact? Why?
The film discusses some difficult themes, mostly through narration as opposed to visuals. How did this -- along with the fact that the film was animated -- impact how you felt about the story?
Movie Details
- In theaters: March 1, 2022
- On DVD or streaming: February 8, 2022
- Cast: Daniel Karimyar, Fardin Mijdzadeh, Milad Eskandari
- Director: Jonas Poher Rasmussen
- Studio: Neon
- Genre: Documentary
- Character Strengths: Communication, Courage, Perseverance
- Run time: 89 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: thematic content, disturbing images and strong language
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: October 8, 2022
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