In a seven-figure deal, Neon has acquired the North American rights to Sundance title Flee, an animated doc from Jonas Poher Rasmussen that counts Riz Ahmed and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as executive producers.
Flee, which premiered opening night of the fest, tells the story of Amin Nawabi (a pseudonym) as he grapples with a painful secret he has kept hidden for 20 years, one that threatens to derail the life he has built for himself and his soon to be husband. Recounted mostly through animation to director Jonas Poher Rasmussen — his close friend and high-school classmate, he tells for the first time the story of his extraordinary journey as a child refugee from Afghanistan.
The Hollywood Reporter review of the movie called it “a powerful and poetic memoir of personal struggle and self-discovery that expands the definition of documentary.”
Monica Hellström and two-time Oscar nominee Signe Byrge Sørensen produced the doc via Final Cut for Real. Sun Creature Studio, Vivement Lundi!, Mostfilm, Mer Film, VICE Studios, Left Handed Films, RYOT Films, Arte France are also behind the movie.
Natalie Farrey, Jannat Gargi, and Danny Gabai executive produced for VICE Studios, along with Philippa Kowarsky, Hayley Pappas and Matt Ippolito.
30WEST and Cinephil, which is handling international sales, negotiated the deal on behalf of the filmmakers.
