Flee
Flugt
Flee
Flugt
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Watch-outs
What this film brings
Content barometer
Violence
2/5
Moderate
Fear
3/5
Notable tension
Sexuality
1/5
Allusions
Language
1/5
Mild
Narrative complexity
1/5
Accessible
Adult themes
1/5
Mild
Expert review
Flee is an animated documentary about the real life story of an Afghan refugee, with a quiet, serious, and deeply emotional tone rather than a child friendly adventure atmosphere. The sensitive material mainly involves war, the disappearance of a parent, fear of police, illegal migration, family separation, and lasting trauma, along with some discussion of Amin's sexual identity within a culture where it is treated as taboo. Physical violence is not graphic, but danger and instability are present throughout the narrative, especially during escape attempts, detentions, and the sea crossing, which can feel intense for younger viewers even though animation softens the visuals somewhat. The film also includes love and acceptance, without explicit sexual content, and shows a same sex relationship in a restrained and respectful way. I would recommend it more for early teens and older, because it requires emotional maturity and some readiness for real world suffering. Parents who watch with their child can help by explaining that this is a true refugee story, then talking afterward about trauma, survival, and the value of being accepted for who you are.
Synopsis
Recounted mostly through animation to protect his identity, Amin looks back over his past as a child refugee from Afghanistan as he grapples with a secret he’s kept hidden for 20 years.
Difficult scenes
Early in the story of his past, Amin describes his father's arrest and disappearance within a setting of war and political repression. The scene is not gory, but the idea of a child suddenly losing the safety of his family can be very sad and unsettling for younger viewers. The Russia section shows life in hiding, marked by fear of being discovered, with police raids, running from authorities, and constant tension about deportation. This atmosphere of insecurity is realistic and recurring, which may create anxiety for sensitive children even without highly explicit violence. The attempt to cross the Baltic Sea is one of the most distressing sequences, because a group of refugees packed onto a boat face engine failure, bad weather, and a very believable risk of dying at sea. The scene focuses on panic, helplessness, and waiting, which can leave a strong impression on younger audiences. The film also shows the psychological weight of secrecy, as Amin lives for years with the fear of being sent back if the truth about his family and arrival in Denmark is discovered. This internal pressure, combined with his hesitation to talk about being gay with his relatives, creates several emotionally heavy scenes that younger viewers may need help processing.
Where to watch
No verified platform for the US market yet. We keep this section updated as availability changes.
Availability checked on Apr 01, 2026
About this title
- Format
- Feature film
- Year
- 2021
- Runtime
- 1h 23m
- Countries
- Denmark, Estonia, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States of America, Finland, France, Slovenia, Spain, Belgium, Italy
- Original language
- DA
- Directed by
- Jonas Poher Rasmussen
- Main cast
- Amin Nawabi, Daniel Karimyar, Fardin Mijdzadeh, Milad Eskandari, Belal Faiz, Elaha Faiz, Zahra Mehrwarz, Sadia Faiz, Georg Jagunov, Rashid Aitouganov
- Studios
- Final Cut for Real, Vivement lundi !, Sun Creature, Participant, MostFilm, Mer Film, VPRO, Vice Studios, RYOT Films, Left Handed Films, ARTE, RTV Slovenija, Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR), MEDIA Programme of the European Union, I Wonder Pictures
Content barometer
Violence
2/5
Moderate
Fear
3/5
Notable tension
Sexuality
1/5
Allusions
Language
1/5
Mild
Narrative complexity
1/5
Accessible
Adult themes
1/5
Mild
Expert review
Flee is an animated documentary about the real life story of an Afghan refugee, with a quiet, serious, and deeply emotional tone rather than a child friendly adventure atmosphere. The sensitive material mainly involves war, the disappearance of a parent, fear of police, illegal migration, family separation, and lasting trauma, along with some discussion of Amin's sexual identity within a culture where it is treated as taboo. Physical violence is not graphic, but danger and instability are present throughout the narrative, especially during escape attempts, detentions, and the sea crossing, which can feel intense for younger viewers even though animation softens the visuals somewhat. The film also includes love and acceptance, without explicit sexual content, and shows a same sex relationship in a restrained and respectful way. I would recommend it more for early teens and older, because it requires emotional maturity and some readiness for real world suffering. Parents who watch with their child can help by explaining that this is a true refugee story, then talking afterward about trauma, survival, and the value of being accepted for who you are.
Synopsis
Recounted mostly through animation to protect his identity, Amin looks back over his past as a child refugee from Afghanistan as he grapples with a secret he’s kept hidden for 20 years.
Difficult scenes
Early in the story of his past, Amin describes his father's arrest and disappearance within a setting of war and political repression. The scene is not gory, but the idea of a child suddenly losing the safety of his family can be very sad and unsettling for younger viewers. The Russia section shows life in hiding, marked by fear of being discovered, with police raids, running from authorities, and constant tension about deportation. This atmosphere of insecurity is realistic and recurring, which may create anxiety for sensitive children even without highly explicit violence. The attempt to cross the Baltic Sea is one of the most distressing sequences, because a group of refugees packed onto a boat face engine failure, bad weather, and a very believable risk of dying at sea. The scene focuses on panic, helplessness, and waiting, which can leave a strong impression on younger audiences. The film also shows the psychological weight of secrecy, as Amin lives for years with the fear of being sent back if the truth about his family and arrival in Denmark is discovered. This internal pressure, combined with his hesitation to talk about being gay with his relatives, creates several emotionally heavy scenes that younger viewers may need help processing.