Tropic Sprockets / Flee

By Ian Brockway

Flee is the animated film by Jonas Poher Rasmussen. It is based on a true story, warm engaging and heartfelt with colorful animation. It is under consideration in this year‘s Oscars, earning a nomination in the documentary category and in the animated category simultaneously. This is the story of Amin (Amin Nawabi) a young man in Afghanistan who lives for spontaneity –– he dresses up in his mother’s-clothes and listens to 80s music.

Amin lives in Afghanistan. With each passing year he recognizes that he is gay. The police are ubiquitous. He tries various methods to obtain passage and escape to another country but the police get him. His hopes are dashed. They take his father away for political reasons. Amin ultimately obtains a smuggler who brings him to Russia. The Russians are very suspicious of Amin.

The smuggler urges Amin to fabricate a story where all his family is dead. He proceeds with the story bursting into tears. He is allowed to be sent to Denmark as a refugee. There at least he can be himself. As luck would have it, His family arrives insisting he find a girlfriend. 

Amin Deeply wants to change. He just doesn’t know how to do it.

The film is full of wonderful animation and it is punctuated by real life in Afghanistan. Pressured by his family, Amin goes to a brothel and meets Kasper, his calm and empathetic love.

Despite the heavy material, there is a light bittersweet warmth to the film that makes “Flee” irresistible and a real crowd pleaser. 

The film unfolds like an actual comic book by Herge. The drawings have a warm and affectionate energy.

Run to “Flee” if you like a rich, engaging story, you won’t be disappointed.

Write Ian at [email protected]

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