When frantically sifting through the list of critically acclaimed films before awards season, a devoted cinephile’s attention can be spread thin. It’s easy to lose sight of films that may not be garnering buzz or may not pique interest. Whether you’re racking up your film count in order to participate in Academy Award predictions or are simply interested in a powerful story, I urge you not to look past “Flee.” 

“Flee” is an animated documentary directed by Danish filmmaker Jonas Poher Rasmussen. It tells the story of Amin Nawabi (a pseudonym) who is an academic in Denmark on the verge of marrying his husband. Nawabi meets with his long-time friend Rasmussen to discuss his hidden past as a refugee fleeing from Kabul, Afghanistan during the rise of the Taliban. 

Although the documentary deals with real events, it is told through 2-D animation. While the choice may have been made to preserve Nawabi’s real identity, there is a fluidity to their motions and a simplicity to the character’s designs that kept the art from feeling like a cartoon. The medium felt authentic and still conveyed the mannerisms and nuances of the individuals. 

Accompanying the animation, “Flee” intercuts real documentary footage from Nawabi’s plight. The sometimes jarring footage is a constant reminder of the magnitude and weight that the story carries. Rasmussen never let’s the audience forget the subjects are real people and the horrors they’ve endured must not be limited to drawn images. 

Another notable aspect of “Flee” is its impeccable sound design. The foley required to immerse the audience in the flashbacks is executed to perfection: the sounds of boots crunching in the snow or tires trekking through rocky roads have an audible texture to them that adds to the realism of the animation. “Flee” even manages to seamlessly incorporate the pop hits of the time such as “Wheel of Fortune” by Ace of Base and “Joyride” by Roxette with the realistic sound design. 

Each segment of Nawabi’s journey begins with him lying down flat on his back. As Rasmussen guides their conversation, Nawabi enters a meditation-like state to recall his memories and the animation takes us away to depictions of his childhood. 

Right away the audience is propelled into vibrant Kabul in the ‘90s as a young Nawabi runs around the city in his sister’s dress listening to a-ha’s “Take on Me.” However, it isn’t long until chaos ensues and Nawabi’s father is taken by the Mujahideen. The color palette desaturates and the animation shifts into scratchy and darkly shaded images of running civilians and resistance fighters. 

The film often repeats this shift in animation during times of peril, which provides a chilling reflection of Nawabi’s psyche. 

While Nawabi’s animated character may not visually represent the real Amin, his voice is his own. There’s a harrowing honesty to his words that convey the hurt and trauma he’s endured. 

The audience can feel Nawabi’s hesitancy and struggle to speak about this time of his life. It works hand-in-hand with the documentary footage to immerse the viewer in the realism of the story.

Nawabi undergoes a destruction of cultural roots, faces danger and discrimination at every turn and must immerse himself in a new culture and language for his own safety. From being susceptible to police discrimination in Russia because of an expired Visa to being turned away by a country after days at sea, witnessing Nawabi’s journey is a humbling experience. 

Furthermore, Nawabi simultaneously experiences the internal struggles of accepting his gay identity and meeting the expectations of his family. The film does not shy away at showing how these childhood adversities affect him in modern day. Nawabi even acknowledges the direct correlation to the struggles he faces as an adult, such as putting too much pressure on himself in school because he feels he owes it to his family, who sacrificed everything for him to be successful. 

While Nawabi’s journey may be unique, the film touches on the universal themes of family, identity and what it means to have a home. No matter your experience or background, there’s something to latch onto and relate to for all audience members. 

Nawabi’s story is one of heartbreak. The honest and kind protagonist must develop a level of maturity far beyond his years. This tear-jerking film was one that humbled me and reminded me how good I have it in my own life. 

Not only is “Flee” entertaining, but it is important. “Flee” reminds us that during times of tribulations, we are all humans looking for stability, safety and a home. 

“Flee” is nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Documentary Feature, Best International Feature and Best Animated Feature — the first film to be nominated for all three simultaneously. The film is available in theaters and streaming on Hulu.