Todo lo que Respira

This beautiful documentary is nominated for the documentary Oscar, and I can see why.

It's a unique study of urban wildlife in one of the world's most densely populated, troubled and polluted cities, yet it teems with wildlife.

We see rats, wild pigs, cattle, camels, frogs, snails and owls, as well as the movie's avian heroes, Black Kites.

These revered birds are finding life tough in modern day Delhi, and as they fall, ill broken, from the sky in increasing numbers two brothers, in a makeshift domestic avian hospital, nurse them back to health and freedom in increasing numbers.

It's a slow reveal that some may find tedious.

Others, like me, will revel in its delicious unfolding of life, in abject squalor, in a Delhi slum. (And yet, I kept getting the feeling that this was a middle class neighbourhood we were witnessing/exploring).

The brothers, and their extended family, live in such a hovel that it's difficult to comprehend the work they do, or how they do it on such limited resources, on top of a day job, and the value this brings.

It's a wonderful exploration of nature as you have never seen it before, and deserves all the credit it is getting.

There's a city where the birds fall from the sky, Black Kites are downed, it's not really clear why, the concentrations of pollution, adaptation, evolution, at least someone's around, to fix their wings and fly.

It's a steady meander, as we're introduced to three residents of Delhi and their mission to save the increasing number of birds that fall from the often polluted skies of the city, after surviving on the waste and refuse left to decay and decompose in a far from insubstantial landfill; with the mount they're estimated to consume on said landfill quite startling.

It's not polished by any means, what you see is what you get, three guys making the best use of the resources available to them to save the inelegance of a Black Kite down.

Aristotle argued that tragedy cleansed the heart through pity and terror, purging us of our petty concerns and worries by making us aware that there can be nobility in suffering. He called this experience 'catharsis'.

Can a powerfully-told story change us, open pathways to being more than bleeding-heart/cold-hearted bystanders? Even a little? This masterful work digs deep, presenting images that i for one will never forget (nor would want to). If any work can be truely, soul-stirringly cathartic, this gorgeous, and excruciating account of a profoundly heroric family may be among the pantheon of works aiming for no less.

Saw this back at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival

Director Shaunak Sen presents about the ecological devastation that the country India is struggling with and it's a story about two brothers who are devoted to save the birds known as "The Black Kite" in order for them to not suffer in the polullated world that India inhabits. The characters of Nadeem, Saud, and Salik are interesting to say the least. Their purpose and passion about birds and saving them gives you a good vibe and respect of their decision. Just like how some people spend their days rescuing animals who are being hunted, abused, or trying to protect them from human waste. There are some gorgeous camerawork throughout this movie and a really good insight look about the environment of India is. There were even moments where we see what the houses look like and how cramped India is. Which makes you feel scared and uncomfortable if you don't like close spaces.

While beautiful, the pacing unfortunately is so uneven that it makes the documentaries purpose unfulfilling in many ways. There are some sound designs that are really bad and scenes that felt like there was no purpose to it. Filler moments that could have been trimmed down. Although way too slow, it was still beautiful and interesting.

Rating: B-

As "All That Breathes" (2022 release from India; 96 min) opens, we are introduced to what life is like in New Delhi, with its ever worsening pollution and ever growing populations. Amidst it all, two brothers are doing all they can to treat and heal black kites, which seem to fall out of the sky at astonishing rates. To make matters worse, New Delhi is reeling from religious riots after the Indian government passes the anti-Muslim Citizenship Bill...

Couple of comments: this is not a straight-forward documentary. It features dream-like sequences as it reflects on how mankind ad animals must evolve in an ever-changing environment. We also get a fascinating glimpse into the day-to-day life of an average family in New Delhi (very cramped housing, chaotic overall atmosphere). Last but not least, we see hoe this family, part of the 200+ million Muslims in India, deals with the blatant anti-Muslim law that was passed in late 2019. Absolutely fascinating stuff, filmed brilliantly, and with a great original score to boot. The film has received a Best Documentary Oscar nomination, and for good reason. It's currently also rated 100% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Ever since it premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, "All That Breathes" has been collecting film festival prizes left and right (including at Cannes). The film finally started showing on HBO and HBO Max a few days ago, and I couldn't wait to see it. (While I am happy to see that it got an Oscar nomination, I don't think it will win, as I'm pretty sure that the Best Documentary Oscar will go to "Navalny", and rightfully so.) If you are in the mood for a top notch documentary, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.