Feb 9: Flee (2021) dir. Jonas Poher Rasmussen

A Curzon film which looks like it may be of interest. It has also been getting a lot of attention in the last few days since the release of the Oscar nominations.

It was directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen.

It was first released in early 2021 and has taken its time to get a release in the UK. It follows the story of Amin, based on true testimony.

This Little White Lies review was published today, and provides a little more detail on the film, but also provides a link through to the geographical idea of 'home' and identity.

Here's a review in Empire.

An extraordinary blend of personal reflection and inspired craft, Flee is a harrowing child’s-eye adventure that lends lyricism to the plight of migrants while showing there’s always a new way to make a documentary.

How do you define “home”? 

Is it a place, a person, a feeling, or all of those things and none at the same time? 

The complex, still somewhat unanswered question gives Flee its emotional tether – a handsome and bold portrait of a young, gay Afghan man telling his story for the first time.

Here's the trailer for the film to give more of a flavour:

The Roger Ebert website review revisits the importance of the theme of home, borders and identity:

The argument could be made that all national borders are arbitrary. 

People have fought over them, and people have died for them, but—who made them? 

The power to concoct a line that keeps some inside and others outside is rare and rarified, and the inclusion vs. exclusion that is established by that geography has in turn shaped the world. 

A country can be a home, and a home can be erased, and the aching, lovely “Flee” trafficks in the space between belonging and wandering.

Films I watched today:

Do you know this voice? (1964) - dir. Frank Nesbitt

An intelligent noir murder mystery, with a good performance from Dan Duryea and plenty of twists and good performances.