Outside the Lines Series: Flee

Jonas Poher Rasmussen’s Flee made history when it became the first movie in history to receive Academy Award nominations for Best Animated Feature, Best Documentary Feature, and Best International Feature Film.

Told through a mix of animation and archival footage in order to protect the anonymity of the protagonist, Flee (based on a true story) follows Amin, an Afghan refugee who recounts how he escaped his native country as a teen, his years-long perilous journey through multiple countries, and his constant pursuit of a place in which he could freely explore his identity and feel a sense of belonging. Now on the verge of marriage, planning to marry a man he met in his new homeland, Denmark, Amin begins to look back over his life, opening up about his past, his trauma, the truth about his family, and his own sexuality, which threatens to ruin the life he has built for himself outside of Afghanistan.

Flee’s innovative use of animation to tell a deeply personal and emotionally charged story resonates powerfully with the ethos of our “Outside the Lines” series. The film pushes the boundaries of traditional storytelling, blending genres and techniques to create a vivid, immersive experience that challenges viewers to rethink the possibilities of cinema. By including Flee in our series, we highlight a film that not only breaks new ground in its form and content but also offers a deeply human story of resilience, identity, and the quest for belonging—an essential exploration in today’s world.

Screening in Danish, English, Russian, Swedish, and Dari with English subtitles.

Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Denmark/France/Sweden/Norway, 2021, 90 minutes, DCP

Festivals, Awards, & Nominations

Nominee – Best Documentary Feature, Academy Awards 2022
Nominee – Best Animated Feature Film, Academy Awards 2022
Nominee – Best International Feature Film, Academy Awards 2022

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Showtimes

Saturday, October 6 3:30pm

Ticketing

Single Ticket: $12 /General & $10/Members

Saturday Pass: $25 /General & $21 /Members

Series Pass: $40 /General & $34 /Members

*Sunday pass includes also admission to 1pm screening of Robot Dreams and 6pm screening of Consumed Spirits

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FILM SERIES

Paprika screens as a part of our Outside the Lines film series celebrating 60 years of the Chicago International Film Festival. Learn more and view full series here.

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OUTSIDE THE LINES: CELEBRATING THE WORLD OF ANIMATION + THE 60TH ANNUAL CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Join us at FACETS October 5-6, 2024, for “Outside the Lines,” a specially curated film series celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Chicago International Film Festival. This collection of offbeat, animated films offers a unique experience for cinephiles, anime enthusiasts, and families alike. Spanning a range of styles and genres, these films push the boundaries of animation, blending innovative storytelling with visually stunning artistry.

“Outside the Lines” offers a unique opportunity to explore the vast and varied world of animation, from the whimsical to the profound. Whether you’re a long-time animation fan or just looking to experience something new, this series promises to leave a lasting impression. Don’t miss this chance to celebrate the art of animation and the rich history of the Chicago International Film Festival with FACETS.

GET YOUR TICKET