Todo lo que Respira

In an age where selfishness has run roughshod over selflessness, it's comforting to know that there are those out there who have not succumbed to these troubling circumstances. Evidence of that is generously served up in director Shaunak Sen's poetic, gorgeously filmed documentary about a pair of brothers who run a makeshift animal hospital out of their basement to heal injured birds in India's capital, New Delhi, a city beset by choking environmental conditions and accelerating political and religious violence. The film is positively beautiful to look at and does tremendous justice to the dedication and compassion of these two wildlife Samaritans. In doing so, the filmmaker offers poignant observations about the connections that bind all of us - both man and animal - to one another, despite whatever petty squabbles or secular considerations might attempt to get in the way, augmented by thoughtful voiceovers, a beautiful, atmospheric score, and stunning cinematography, particularly in its close-up footage of the black kites that the brothers so lovingly nurture back to health. A few segments drag a bit, especially with their inclusion of too much needless incidental footage, but, if that's the picture's greatest failing, there's really little to otherwise fault in this widely decorated release. This is the kind of film that beckons us to heed that age-old advice about taking time to stop and smell the proverbial roses - and to teach us all how to take flight as the truly concerted, humane individuals we're capable of being.

Greetings again from the darkness. The expert photography and artistic approach taken by Shaunak Sen in his documentary is quite something to behold, even as the message may be a bit heavy-handed. His opening shot perfectly captures all of this, as a sea of rats scrounges for food through the trash while the headlights of an approaching car drive home the point that it's the humans who have thrown things out of balance.

Most of the film is focused on two brothers, Nadeem and Saud, who have dedicated much of their lives to wildlife rescue ... especially as it relates to Kite Birds. Now you may consider yourself a nature lover and even an environmentalist, but these two have reportedly treated over 20,000 birds. That's what I mean by dedication!

Documentarian Sen has crafted a film that is simultaneously neither and both a nature and climate change film. New Delhi is one of the world's most overpopulated and polluted cities. The film is meant to remind us that all creatures must breathe the same air, and when that air is so bad that birds drop from the sky, it can be assumed that the other beings of the area - people, rats, dogs, cows, pigs, mosquitoes - are also being negatively impacted.

These brothers believe that their efforts may have a spiritual or religious payoff, but mostly they believe one should make the difference they are able to make, even if that difference is to the Kite birds flying above. We also understand that it's humans who have corrupted the air and land, and are the force behind wars being fought. Despite all, it's nature that persists, even if society may not. Sen's film may be a bit long, but he ensures all viewers understand.

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-

Some absolutely gorgeous cinematography and a poignant story of a family dedicated to saving injured predator birds amidst the pollution and political upheavals in Delhi. Sen forces the viewer to slow down and consider the natural world that coexists with the seemingly indifferent forces of urban spaces. And Nadeem, Saud, and Salik share their philosophy and way of life as they commit their lives to creatures who many in their society would otherwise leave to die. Haunting and beautiful.

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.