Families in Flight

Director(s):
Country: Multi-national
Language: In English or w/English subtitles
Multiple Film Types | 2020, 2021 | 73 mins
Recommended for ages 8+ (Parental Guidance: Age recommendation for subtitles, a scene of peril verbally relayed in SEAHORSE and incessant bullying in THE CASE.)

Regional conflict across the globe has forced millions of families to unwillingly leave their homes. These are stories of families on the move in an effort to survive. Stories here include a beautiful, Italian, animated film depicting otherworldly families fleeing to safer lands (THE CASE); a younger brother taking swim lessons from his sister after narrowly escaping Syria SEAHORSE); and a brother sportscasting a soccer game to his blind brother at a refugee camp (LEO). The next time you hear a news story about a “refugee/immigrant” you might listen a little more intently after watching this reel.

THE CASE – This is a beautifully done animation with characters you would think were inspired by DUNE and STAR WARS. A young boy’s parents send him from their war-torn country with nothing but a dream and a violin case. He crosses deserts and seas during his long and dangerous trip.  (2021 / 40 mins / Italy / dir. Maurizio Forestieri / in Italian w/English subtitles)

LEO – An older brother gives an exciting play-by-play of a soccer game for the benefit of his younger brother, who is blind. (2020 / 5 mins / Islamic Republic of Iran / dir. Moein Rooholamini / In Arabic with English subtitles)

SEAHORSE – Hanan accompanies her brother to classes in a German public pool. The first swimming badge is called »Seahorse«, their instructor explains, because it doesn’t drown while being underwater. When Hanan fled ISIS to Europe on a treacherous trip in a rubber dinghy, she couldn’t swim. To overcome this memory she is now a swim instructor teaching kids like her little brother how to swim. (2020 / 16 mins / Germany / dir. Nele Dehnenkamp / in German w/English subtitles)

A STONE IN THE SHOE – Have you ever felt like the only frog in a room full of rabbits? A new student on his first day of school navigates friendship with kids whose background, language, food and even school supplies are very different from his. (2021 / 11 mins / France / dir. Eric Montchaud / no dialogue)