Flee

Jonas Rasmussen's animated Documentary is an ultimately rewarding docu-drama concerning a young man, Amin, who's life was upended when the Soviet Union's war in Afghanistan collapsed and his native country was plunged into civil war. He is living in Denmark as the Documentary takes place.

Rasmussen has created a complex telling of the tale. Most of the movie is animated, but there is significant newsreel footage as well - mixed-media may be a more accurate description than pure animation*. Further, the movie begins as an interview of the now 30-something Amin, but blends in recreations of his life story with 'behind the scenes' (animated) footage of the Documentary's progress. Add, in the stock footage and it's a heady construct. Fortunately, it all works, and creates some suspense since the story-telling isn't fully linear.

At it's core, FLEE is a survival tale. Amin and his family escape Afghanistan only to end up in Russia where they once again have to run away in order to seek true freedom. The title has a dual meaning - both the physical act and a psychological one. It i the latter definition where Rasmussen excels in depicting how Amin's struggles have affected his emotional well-being and personal relationships. It's a difficult movie to watch at times, but, it is extremely well done accomplishment whatever the form.

* Some have mistakenly termed FLEE the first animated Documentary. There are others including the exceptional WALTZ WITH BASHIR which was nominated for Best Foreign Film in 2009. BASHIR also was set in the Middle East and included a bit of real documentary filmed footage (although significantly less than in FLEE)