Flee

Name: Flee
Genre: Biography, Drama, Animation, Documentary
Released: December 3, 2021
Duration: 89 min
Rating: 91
Cast: Belal Faiz, Daniel Karimyar, Elaha Faiz, Fardin Mijdzadeh, Georg Jagunov

2021

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 33 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 57 Ratings

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7.7

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7.7	Your Score
7.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 57 Ratings

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Flee (US Trailer 1)

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Movie Details & Credits

Neon | Release Date: December 3, 2021 | PG-13

Starring: Belal Faiz, Daniel Karimyar, Elaha Faiz, Fardin Mijdzadeh, Georg Jagunov, Hafiz Højmark, Milad Eskandari, Navid Nazir, Rashid Aitouganov, Sadia Faiz, Zahra Mehrwarz

Summary: Amin Nawabi grapples with a painful secret he has kept hidden for 20 years, one that threatens to derail the life he has built for himself and his soon-to-be husband. Recounted mostly through animation to director Jonas Poher Rasmussen, he tells the story of his extraordinary journey as a child refugee from Afghanistan for the first time.

Director: Jonas Poher Rasmussen

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Animation, Documentary

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 89 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Matthew Anderson

Feb 2, 2021

Blurring traditional boundaries of documentary with rich, beautiful animation in many shades and colours, the Danish director has a great deal invested in telling this story. Read full review

100

Karen Gordon

Dec 16, 2021

Throughout, Rasmussen never loses focus on the humanity. He’s telling the story, not of a refugee, but of a fellow human being whom he knows personally. The rapport between the two, the quiet honesty with which Amin speaks and the respectful and obviously deeply affectionate way in which Rasmussen tells the story, makes this film something special. Read full review

100

The Telegraph Robbie Collin

Feb 11, 2022

This is a film which simply wouldn’t have worked in any medium but animation: in an hour and a half we come to know Amin intimately without actually setting eyes on him at all. It’s an ingenious way to tell a story that’s both extraordinary and commonplace: only with the teller’s anonymity tactfully preserved can the tale itself be hauled fully into the light. Read full review

A.O. Scott

Dec 2, 2021

Less a sociological case study than a psychological portrait, the film is both probing and tactful. Read full review

Josh Larsen

Dec 13, 2021

Gently yet urgently, Flee gives intimate attention to one refugee’s story, while reminding us that Amin also stands in for millions upon millions of others across the globe who are subject to dehumanization as they simply seek a safer life. Read full review

Tara Brady

Feb 11, 2022

There are obvious parallels between Rasmussen’s film and such similarly constructed animations as Ari Folman’s Waltz with Bashir and Keith Maitland’s Tower, although Flee’s rugged lines are never as polished as anything found in either of those films. The sense of catharsis and the heartfelt voiceover, however, offset the roughhewn aesthetics. Read full review

Keith Watson

Sep 20, 2021

The film effectively immerses us in the wrenching details of Amin’s story, but it keeps us just a bit too far removed from the man himself. Read full review

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User Reviews

fra92

Dec 5, 2021

Flee is such an amazing movie. It's so touching and important. It's a personal story that spoke to me and made me cry. I really loved it and I recommend to watch it

5 of 7 users found this helpful52

LuissDt

Jun 4, 2022

Flee is not only a very well animated movie with a sensational script, it is also one of the best surprises in terms of movies and documentaries in 2021

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

MordoReviewer

Jan 21, 2022

An excellent made, very moving documentary, everyone should see it and learn from it.
An increible achievement for documentary and animation

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

All_ButTrU4

Aug 19, 2022

"This is a film which simply wouldn’t have worked in any medium but animation: in an hour and a half we come to know Amin intimately without actually setting eyes on him at all. It’s an ingenious way to tell a story that’s both extraordinary and commonplace: only with the teller’s anonymity"This is a film which simply wouldn’t have worked in any medium but animation: in an hour and a half we come to know Amin intimately without actually setting eyes on him at all. It’s an ingenious way to tell a story that’s both extraordinary and commonplace: only with the teller’s anonymity tactfully preserved can the tale itself be hauled fully into the light."

Flee is a stunning achievement in film that manages to be not only a moving documtary but a step forward in storytelling. It's use of straight forward yet evocative animation and anonymity create a dizzying intimacy with the story ,one that stays with you long after it ends. Truly groundbreaking media that succeeds not only through it's humanity but through showing a world most of us couldn't imagine, one where lives end in seconds and families lose touch. I truly loved this movie despite perhaps never really ever going to commit to rewatching it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

bertobellamy

Jun 1, 2022

'Flee' transcends any form of medium or genre to tell the heartbreaking story of an Afghan refugee asking for a chance to live a dignified life. Jonas Poher Rasmussen's craftsmanship gives us an astounding film that uses animation not just to hide the identity of its subject, but as a way to'Flee' transcends any form of medium or genre to tell the heartbreaking story of an Afghan refugee asking for a chance to live a dignified life. Jonas Poher Rasmussen's craftsmanship gives us an astounding film that uses animation not just to hide the identity of its subject, but as a way to tell the horrible experiences of his youth. The writer/director is meticulous not to sensationalize the tales of Amin; the close relationship he has with him opens a door no other filmmaker could have. The animation is simple but effective, and two styles — one being more abstract than the other — blend organically for very dramatic purposes. The use of archival material helps contextualize Amin's story, giving you insight into the cultural and political changes in countries like Afghanistan and Russia. You may already know the details, but the way Rasmussen inserts them into the film helps you understand another angle of the film: Amin coming to terms with his sexuality. It's amazing how the movie tackles many relevant things without being didactic or overwhelming. 'Flee' will leave you thinking for days about the refugee crisis and the suffering of innocent people, but not in a very disposable way; its tone and execution honor the sacrifices of these people. Maybe this could be the most humanistic film ever made about a very delicate theme.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Brent_Marchant

Jan 22, 2022

This will undoubtedly be perceived as an unfavorable opinion, but I'll say it anyway -- the gay protagonist's harrowing story about his escape from Afghanistan's political turmoil is truly inspiring, and the animation used to tell it is visually dazzling. But do the two really mesh? I mustThis will undoubtedly be perceived as an unfavorable opinion, but I'll say it anyway -- the gay protagonist's harrowing story about his escape from Afghanistan's political turmoil is truly inspiring, and the animation used to tell it is visually dazzling. But do the two really mesh? I must be missing something here, because, even though director Jonas Poher Rasmussen's latest is inventive in its own right, I fail to grasp the significance of using this particular approach to tell this story. In fact, I'm even skeptical about labeling this work as a documentary; it seems more like a stylish retelling of a true story, which, in my book, isn't the same as a work belonging in the genre in which it has been placed. It also underplays the gay aspect of this story in favor of a somewhat overlong recounting of the protagonist's flight to freedom. While the film certainly has its admirable elements (especially in the last half hour), this offering strikes me as yet another overhyped 2021 release -- not as much as many of last year's other cinematic darlings, but I don't see this as something deserving of the excessive praise that has been generously heaped upon it.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

rezagtx1983

Jan 20, 2022

garbage leftist product.us destroyed afghanistan and now they make woke garbage about them.

1 of 10 users found this helpful19

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