Embedded in every hand-drawn line of the animated documentary “Flee” is a poignantly unfiltered humanism that has galvanized viewers worldwide. Spotlighting a young Afghan man crossing borders to find a safe haven, this portrait based on a real-life story combats the superficial tropes around refugee stories with profound curiosity for the people beyond the headlines and their inner predicaments.
In vivid 2D animation, Flee, now streaming on Hulu, chronicles the displacement of Amin (a pseudonym used to protect the subject’s identity), who traversing oceans and continents to reach relative safety in Denmark. Aside from the perils of human trafficking and undocumented migration, Amin wrestles with his sexual orientation, a heavy burden in a traditionally minded society.
With numerous awards and festivals since its premiere in early 2021, “Flee” made history with three Academy Award nominations for international feature film, documentary feature and animated feature. It didn’t win an Oscar at the March 27 ceremony, but it was the first film to amass nominations in all three categories.
