Tudo O que Respira

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.

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.

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.

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.