Flee

International co-production between Denmark, France, Sweden, Norway, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom and United States, 'Flee' is directed by the experienced Danish documentary filmmaker of Jewish origin Jonas Poher Rasmussen, recognized for works such as 'Searching for Bill', 'What He Did' or 'Closed Doors'. He is supported by actors Riz Ahmed and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as executive producers, as well as being the narrators for the English version. The production is a documentary that had to be made in animation to avoid revealing the identity of its protagonist and thus avoid reprisals.

It is the story of Amin, a 36-year-old man. He is a renowned academic in Copenhagen, he's openly gay, and he's about to marry his longtime boyfriend. However, Amin has kept a painful secret for more than 25 years. As a child, Amin fled his native Afghanistan for Russia. In the post-communist era, he was hidden there for five years. When he turned 16, Amin managed to reach Denmark as an unaccompanied minor. Fearing that his true story would be revealed, Amin clung to the false information provided by the smugglers who will take him to the Nordic country.

Shortly before his wedding, Amin wants to be honest with himself and those he loves. He sees the documentary as his last chance to reveal his true identity, which he has kept secret for far too long. Amin fears that otherwise his authentic self will completely disappear and be integrated into his false identity. He decides to entrust his story to his best friend, Tobias. A step to recover his past and rediscover himself.

Thanks to animation, with which Amin's identity is thus protected, Jonas Poher Rasmussen also seeks to enhance his story, combining time and memory in a visceral and poetic way and thus manages to delve into a story that is narrated by him. Amin himself. 'Flee' thus manages to vividly show the trauma that occurs before the refugees arrive safely in their new country.

Official Selection of the 2020 Cannes Film Festival, 'Flee' was presented at the 2021 Toronto Film Festival. Nominated for three Academy Award: best animated feature film, best documentary film and best international film for Denmark. It's first animated feature film and first documentary feature to achieve the feat of competing in three categories in Academy Awards history.