“FLEE tells the extraordinary true story of a man, Amin, on the verge of marriage which compels him to reveal his hidden past for the first time.” – IMDB
To be honest, it is rare for me to find a documentary that I don’t like. It has happened before, but it is rare. Luckily, FLEE was no different; however, it was an entirely different story than I had anticipated upon reading the synopsis. Let me clarify…
FLEE documents conversations between the story’s main character, Amin, Amin’s fiance, and Amin’s friend, the filmmaker. Through these conversations we learn of Amin’s past, one which has been checkered and which neither Amin’s fiance nor friend entirely know the truth of.
Through these conversations, we learn that Amin has not been entirely truthful in the telling of his past. This deceit makes for an interesting watch because it incites us to make a snap judgment about Amin and his reasons for lying. However, as the story goes on, we learn that there is a much more understandable reason why Amin would lie to those closest to him.
In listening to Amin and his life as an Afghani refugee, we hear a firsthand account of the strength and courage it takes to flee one’s homeland. Although Amin may not be one of the people we see in headlines around the world about migrants crossing the English Channel in little rafts or walking thousands of miles through Central America only to be turned away by the U.S., it helps the audience put an individual story to the plight of so many thousands around the world.
As with most documentaries, FLEE is an incredibly moving watch, but one you need to plan on watching with a box of tissues on a rainy day.
Rating: 7 out 10 Claire Bears
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If you like this movie, you should also watch: Waltz with Bashir, Waking Life
Streaming: Hulu
Directed By: Jonas Poher Rasmussen
Let Me Clarify 