The use of real video mixed with animation is a notable artistic decision that does a great job of drawing viewers into Amin’s world helping to personalize the refugee experience. The use of animation helps him express the story he wants to tell while also making up for any missing footage that only exists in memory while also allowing for a personal and creative artistic exploration to help create the story he wants to tell. Nonetheless, certain aspects, such as the use of a pseudonymous name and the omission of faces in many scenes, may raise doubts about the authenticity and accuracy of Amin’s account. While this may introduce an element of skepticism, it also underscores the anonymity and invisibility that often shroud refugees, reinforcing the overarching theme of identity and displacement. Perhaps Amin is not yet ready to fully present himself to the world, which speaks volumes about a possible ongoing struggle. My initial impressions were that this was a typical refugee story but I came to find out it is much more than that. Amin’s personal story is skillfully intertwined into the film’s investigation of his sexuality. His struggle with his sexual identity initially seems to be unrelated to the experience of being a refugee, but it gradually becomes clear that it is integral to his overall journey
The moment Amin and his brother were captured by Russian authorities was one scene that particularly stuck out to me. This scene effectively illustrates the ongoing danger and vulnerability that refugees experience in their journey revealing Amin’s helplessness and moral predicament as he sees another female who was also apprehended by the Russian police and is presumed to have then been likely sexually assaulted later on in the van. This scene draws on a major subject of the film, the loss of agency and ethical compromises that frequently plague the lives of refugees and forcing them from making choices and taking measured risks to navigate dangerous situations the constant fear and concealment he endures also echo in his journey of self-discovery, underscoring the chronic fear and trauma that he carries as a refugee and as someone who was gay. His story and the story of countless others finding their path towards a new home is not just physical but a spiritual journey.
Another scene that I wanted to bring up that is both heart wrenching and inspiring to see is when Amin asks a doctor for a “cure” for being gay. It illustrates the significant impact of society conventions and self-imposed expectations, maintaining a pervasive sense of unacceptance, and illuminates the cultural constraints that drove him to repress his true self. Amin eventually accepts his sexuality and enters a gay bar, the anxiety and tension leading up to this moment were intense as he revealed to his family that he was gay, but that moment when he fully accepted himself with the assurance that his family accepted him stands as a testament to his unwavering resilience and triumph over the difficulties he has faced. This narrative arc underscores that even amid adversity, individuals like Amin can draw strength from their authentic selves, knowing that their family will always embrace them.
As you said in your response to Flee, Amin’s dissonance with his identity played a large role in evoking emotions from the audience. I like how you mentioned the importance of Amin’s identity in the whollistic view of his journey, and also found your focus on Amin’s acceptance to be very agreeable since it played such a large role throughout the documentary.