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Animated documentary

Flee (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Flee (2021) movie poster

Flee is a 2021 animated documentary directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen, starring Daniel Karimyar as Amin (9-11 years old), Fardin Mijdzadeh and Elaha Faiz. It runs 1 hour 29 minutes and earned $711,676 worldwide on a $3.4 million budget. It was nominated for 3 Oscars. Critics gave it 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 91 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.9/10.

IMDb rating
7.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
98%
worldwide gross
$711.7K
award nominations
10
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Flee (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 29m (89 min)
Original language
Danish
Studio
Neon
Budget
$3.4M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Flee About?

The premise of Flee without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

This powerful documentary blends animation and Amin Nawabi’s personal story to reveal a long-held secret that threatens his present and future. Director Jonas Poher Rasmussen recounts Amin's extraordinary journey as a child fleeing war-torn Afghanistan, sharing a gripping account of his perilous escape and the challenges he faced building a new life. The film explores themes of identity, family, and the lasting impact of trauma.

Flee Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • gay
  • gay couple
  • gay man
  • afghan refugee
  • copenhagen denmark
  • stockholm sweden
  • gay interest
  • rape
  • same sex marriage
  • gay boy
  • homosexual
  • gay bar
+38 more
  • homosexuality
  • afghanistan
  • moscow russia
  • gay protagonist
  • new york city
  • refugee-child
  • denmark
  • gay asian
  • gay cinema
  • unaccompanied minor
  • coming of age
  • gay nightclub
  • refugee
  • kabul afghanistan
  • coming out
  • boy wears a dress
  • afghan war
  • human trafficking
  • lgbt cinema
  • estonia
  • ms estonia
  • locked in a shipping container
  • home
  • reference to princeton university
  • toilet
  • russian police
  • gold chain
  • 1980s
  • 1990s
  • jean claude van damme poster
  • reenactment
  • stowaway
  • secret
  • pseudonym
  • house
  • reference to the mujahideen
  • reference to the taliban
  • reference to jean claude van damme
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Cast & crew

Flee Cast & Characters

Daniel Karimyar leads the cast as Amin (9-11 years old), with Fardin Mijdzadeh as Amin (15-18 years old), Angry Man, Refugee and Elaha Faiz as Fahima (13-18 years old). Directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Flee

· 7 more
Ratings

Flee Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Flee 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 91 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 74/100, strongest in story & flow (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (68).

74 /100

Flee Echo Score Breakdown

Flee delivers a compelling portrait of a refugee’s journey, leveraging animation to create intimacy while preserving anonymity. Critics highlight its emotional resonance and innovative documentary approach, and many viewers commend its visual storytelling and thematic depth. Some detractors note rough animation and occasional reliance on narration, yet the film’s humanistic core remains striking. Consequently, the work stands as a powerful, though occasionally uneven, contribution to contemporary cinema.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 78

    Regarding art and craft, the film’s animation employs a stark, handcrafted aesthetic that underscores the narrative’s rawness. Critics praise its inventive use of the medium to convey intimacy, while several viewers acknowledge the simplicity as effective. Conversely, some point to uneven polish and jerky motion. Overall, the visual execution is distinctive and purposeful, though not flawless.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When evaluating character and emotion, performers convey nuanced inner conflict through voiceover and restrained animation. Many reviewers commend the heartfelt resonance and the protagonist’s compelling vulnerability. However, certain critics argue that facial expressions remain static, limiting emotional complexity. In sum, the character work largely succeeds in eliciting empathy, despite occasional shortcomings in visual expressiveness.

  • Story & Flow 80

    Storywise, the documentary weaves personal recollection with historical context, maintaining a measured pacing that balances intimacy and exposition. Critics note its originality among animated nonfiction works, and viewers find the plot engaging and coherent. Some mention an overlong second half that hampers momentum. Overall, the narrative delivers a powerful, if occasionally uneven, account of displacement.

  • Sensory Experience 72

    The sensory experience combines a subdued soundtrack with archival audio, allowing the animation’s modest palette to stand out. Reviewers appreciate the straightforward visual style that supports the story’s gravity, though a few lament the lack of a memorable musical motif. Consequently, the film’s sound and visual cohesion reinforce its somber tone without overwhelming the viewer.

  • Rewatch Factor 68

    Rewatch potential is anchored in the film’s emotional gravity and unique storytelling method, which many find lingering after a single viewing. Some audience members express hesitation to revisit due to its heavy subject matter and limited animation spectacle. Overall, while the documentary leaves a lasting impression, its demand for emotional investment may curb frequent repeat viewings.

Plot

Flee Plot Summary

What happens in Flee from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Amin Nawabi sits down for an interview in Denmark with director Jonas Poher Rasmussen, who has known him since their teenage years. Jonas embarks on a documentary to explore Amin’s profound journey, shedding light on his escape from Afghanistan and seeking refuge in Denmark. Despite his close relationship with his boyfriend Kasper, whom he plans to marry, Amin has never fully divulged the details of his past. This suppression of his experiences lingers, haunting his ability to commit fully to a new life. An opportunity arises for him to work as a postdoctoral researcher at Princeton University, potentially taking him away from Kasper.

Full summary

The whole story of Flee, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Flee Box Office & Budget

Flee grossed $711,676 worldwide on a $3.4 million budget, 21% of what it cost. $339,754 came from the US and Canada and $371,922 (52%) from the rest of the world.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$711.7K

21% of its budget back

US & Canada
$339.8K
International
$371.9K
Budget
$3.4M
US & Canada 48% Rest of the world 52%
Awards

Flee Awards & Nominations

Flee was nominated for 3 Oscars. The 10 nominations come from 7 ceremonies, the most at the Oscars 2022.

10 nominations7 ceremonies

Show all 7 ceremonies
Videos

Flee Trailers & Videos

6 videos: 2 trailers and 4 featurettes.

All 6 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official UK Trailer 2
  • Featurette FLEE Interview | Jonas Poher Rasmussen
  • Featurette FLEE Interview | Riz Ahmed
  • Featurette Flee Q&A | BFI London Film Festival 2021
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Flee?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Where was Amin born?

Details

Flee Also Known As

29 alternative titles, including “나의 집은 어디인가” and “Bijeg”.

Also known as
  • 나의 집은 어디인가
  • Bijeg
  • Flukt
  • Flee: Nenhum Lugar Para Chamar de Lar
  • Бягство
  • Utéct
  • Põgenemine
  • 逃不出的記憶
  • Menekülés
  • Flótti
  • Livro'akh
  • Flee: Huyendo De Casa
+17 more
  • Przeżyć
  • Flee - A Fuga
  • Побег
  • Flykt
  • 漂浪人生
  • Kaçış
  • Pako
  • Fuir
  • 無處安心
  • Втеча
  • 逃亡
  • Бегство
  • לברוח
  • Bēgšana
  • Φυγή
  • FLEE フリー
  • Trốn Chạy

Seen Flee?

FAQ

Flee FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Flee, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Flee?

Flee runs 1 hour 29 minutes (89 minutes).

When was Flee released?

Flee was released on December 3, 2021.

Who directed Flee?

Flee was directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen.

Who is in the cast of Flee?

Flee stars Daniel Karimyar as Amin (9-11 years old), Fardin Mijdzadeh as Amin (15-18 years old), Angry Man, Refugee and Elaha Faiz as Fahima (13-18 years old), among 11 credited actors.

How much did Flee make at the box office?

Flee grossed $711,676 worldwide ($339,754 domestic, $371,922 international) on a budget of $3.4 million.

How is Flee rated?

Flee has 7.9/10 on IMDb, 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 91 on Metacritic and 78% on TMDB.

Was Flee nominated for any awards?

Flee received 10 nominations across 7 ceremonies.

Does Flee have a post-credit scene?

No. Flee has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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