A subtle use of animation defines Flee, a documentary from director Jonas Poher Rasmussen. As a teen in Copenhagen, Rasmussen befriended Afghan refugee Amin Nawabi. They reconnected in adulthood to collaborate on the film, in which Amin opens up about his perilous path from Afghanistan to Denmark. Tentatively engaged to be married at the time of filming, Amin particularly considers how the trauma he experienced has made it difficult to form lasting relationships. Sometimes the animation depicts the interviews themselves and at other times it’s used to dramatize Amin’s memories—harrowing accounts of abuse, deprivation, loss, and loneliness. I liked the clever attempts at “realism” Rasmussen employs (asking a cartoon Amin to adjust his position for the camera at one point, when that could have simply been done in the animation). Elsewhere, creative flourishes heighten the emotional weight, as when Amin, being interrogated by immigration officials, is depicted in outline only—not fully a person. 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.
(12/13/2021)
