Tout ce que nous respirons

Greetings again from the darkness. The expert photography and artistic approach taken by Shaunak Sen in his documentary is quite something to behold, even as the message may be a bit heavy-handed. His opening shot perfectly captures all of this, as a sea of rats scrounges for food through the trash while the headlights of an approaching car drive home the point that it's the humans who have thrown things out of balance.

Most of the film is focused on two brothers, Nadeem and Saud, who have dedicated much of their lives to wildlife rescue ... especially as it relates to Kite Birds. Now you may consider yourself a nature lover and even an environmentalist, but these two have reportedly treated over 20,000 birds. That's what I mean by dedication!

Documentarian Sen has crafted a film that is simultaneously neither and both a nature and climate change film. New Delhi is one of the world's most overpopulated and polluted cities. The film is meant to remind us that all creatures must breathe the same air, and when that air is so bad that birds drop from the sky, it can be assumed that the other beings of the area - people, rats, dogs, cows, pigs, mosquitoes - are also being negatively impacted.

These brothers believe that their efforts may have a spiritual or religious payoff, but mostly they believe one should make the difference they are able to make, even if that difference is to the Kite birds flying above. We also understand that it's humans who have corrupted the air and land, and are the force behind wars being fought. Despite all, it's nature that persists, even if society may not. Sen's film may be a bit long, but he ensures all viewers understand.

As "All That Breathes" (2022 release from India; 96 min) opens, we are introduced to what life is like in New Delhi, with its ever worsening pollution and ever growing populations. Amidst it all, two brothers are doing all they can to treat and heal black kites, which seem to fall out of the sky at astonishing rates. To make matters worse, New Delhi is reeling from religious riots after the Indian government passes the anti-Muslim Citizenship Bill...

Couple of comments: this is not a straight-forward documentary. It features dream-like sequences as it reflects on how mankind ad animals must evolve in an ever-changing environment. We also get a fascinating glimpse into the day-to-day life of an average family in New Delhi (very cramped housing, chaotic overall atmosphere). Last but not least, we see hoe this family, part of the 200+ million Muslims in India, deals with the blatant anti-Muslim law that was passed in late 2019. Absolutely fascinating stuff, filmed brilliantly, and with a great original score to boot. The film has received a Best Documentary Oscar nomination, and for good reason. It's currently also rated 100% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Ever since it premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, "All That Breathes" has been collecting film festival prizes left and right (including at Cannes). The film finally started showing on HBO and HBO Max a few days ago, and I couldn't wait to see it. (While I am happy to see that it got an Oscar nomination, I don't think it will win, as I'm pretty sure that the Best Documentary Oscar will go to "Navalny", and rightfully so.) If you are in the mood for a top notch documentary, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

Some absolutely gorgeous cinematography and a poignant story of a family dedicated to saving injured predator birds amidst the pollution and political upheavals in Delhi. Sen forces the viewer to slow down and consider the natural world that coexists with the seemingly indifferent forces of urban spaces. And Nadeem, Saud, and Salik share their philosophy and way of life as they commit their lives to creatures who many in their society would otherwise leave to die. Haunting and beautiful.

Saw this back at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival

Director Shaunak Sen presents about the ecological devastation that the country India is struggling with and it's a story about two brothers who are devoted to save the birds known as "The Black Kite" in order for them to not suffer in the polullated world that India inhabits. The characters of Nadeem, Saud, and Salik are interesting to say the least. Their purpose and passion about birds and saving them gives you a good vibe and respect of their decision. Just like how some people spend their days rescuing animals who are being hunted, abused, or trying to protect them from human waste. There are some gorgeous camerawork throughout this movie and a really good insight look about the environment of India is. There were even moments where we see what the houses look like and how cramped India is. Which makes you feel scared and uncomfortable if you don't like close spaces.

While beautiful, the pacing unfortunately is so uneven that it makes the documentaries purpose unfulfilling in many ways. There are some sound designs that are really bad and scenes that felt like there was no purpose to it. Filler moments that could have been trimmed down. Although way too slow, it was still beautiful and interesting.

Rating: B-

Set amidst a backdrop of civic and religious unrest in New Delhi, this rather dry documentary follows three men who spend much of their waking hours trying to rescue the population of Black Kites that - like the human population - are being seriously affected by the toxicity of the air and the water in their home city. Our opening scene see Salik arrive at their home with loads of fruit boxes that appear to have minds of their own! Enclosed are these beautiful but rather scrawny and malnourished birds that need a good cleaning and some tender loving care. Mohammad Said and Nadeem Shehzad are definitely men on a mission - and we gradually realise the scale of their endeavour - and, ultimately. The impossibility of them saving all - or even most - of these creatures. Meantime, the city is suffering from violent domestic strife that causes them to send their families to neighbouring Old Delhi - a move that enables them to focus solely on their opening of a pet care shop. Nobody is medically qualified here - the family business is soap dispensers; but a bit of reading and a painstakingly acquired working knowledge of just how to heal many of their illnesses - along with a genuine community spirit from neighbours who help out with meat etc. - makes for a compelling watch at times. For me, though, it was all rather slow and told in too a pedestrian a fashion. Whilst their efforts are laudable, these three have little charisma and come across as dedicated but just a bit too dull and earnest to spin this out for an over-long 97 minutes. I could also have been doing with just a little more science as to the nature of the illnesses affecting the birds and a little more on the politics driving the riots. That said, it is worth a watch - but it is disappointing.