When it comes to animation production, excellent studios such as Disney, Pixar, Studio Ghibli, and others have produced many classic works. They are considered unmatched in terms of animation themes and production quality by the outside world. However, in recent years, there has been a groundbreaking film called “Flee” that combines animation and documentary, which has emerged. The film, presented in animated form, depicts the painful experiences of an Afghan child refugee, breaking new ground in the way documentaries are presented and pushing the boundaries of animation themes.
The movie was officially released in the United States at the end of last year, and it was nominated for the Oscars for Best International Feature Film, Best Animated Film, and Best Documentary. Now, this highly acclaimed film at international film festivals is about to be released in Hong Kong. Let’s introduce the story background before the theaters reopen!
The film is directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen and tells the story of the protagonist Amin Nawabi, who is about to marry his fiancé and share for the first time his secret past as a refugee fleeing from Afghanistan to Denmark. To protect his identity, the documentary will not show the protagonist’s face, instead using animation to narrate the secret he has hidden for 20 years.
Amin was forced to leave his homeland of Afghanistan at a young age with his mother and siblings, starting a new life in Denmark. As a child refugee from Afghanistan, he has experienced many tragic events growing up. He has now publicly shared his past, trauma, family truths, and his acceptance of his own sexual orientation. However, this long-held conservative secret may also jeopardize his future in Denmark and his upcoming married life.
In reality, Jonas Poher Rasmussen, as a teenager who grew up in Copenhagen, Denmark, became friends with Amin Nawabi (the protagonist of the film) at a young age. This is an animation he made based on his friend’s real experiences. The setting of “Flee” is relatively simple, with Rasmussen guiding Amin forward in the conversation. Because of their friendship and familiarity, the dialogue becomes more approachable, allowing the audience to participate in his past.
In Amin’s experience, we see fragments of memories about love and loss. He talks about his deep connection with his family, the efforts he made to openly express his sexual orientation in a conservative culture, the search for a true home, and the trauma of being stateless. But from his story, we deeply feel his fearless determination to fight for a better life. This is not just a movie, but also a record of the history of human migration, war, and equality, definitely worth a closer look.
The movie will be released in Hong Kong cinemas after the lockdown, don’t miss it!
Image source: Official trailer screenshot
