Watch 69 Minutes of 86 Days

69 Minutes of 86 Days is a thought-provoking documentary film that tells the story of a Syrian family's journey towards freedom and safety. Directed by Egil Håskjold Larsen and produced by Tone Grøttjord-Glenne, the film takes us on a remarkable journey through the eyes of a young girl named Lean, who is just three years old.

The film's narrative is centered around the journey undertaken by Lean, her father, and her two uncles as they flee from Syria to Sweden. The journey is long and perilous, spanning over 2600 miles across Turkey, Greece, and other European nations. Along the way, Lean and her family cross oceans, mountains, and forests while encountering countless obstacles and challenges on their path to find refuge.

What makes this documentary stand out is its unique perspective. Instead of featuring a traditional narration, the director skilfully shows the audience the journey through the eyes of Lean. She sees the world very differently than an adult, which brings a fresh and intriguing viewpoint to the film. Lean's innocence and curiosity bring a profound emotional depth to the story.

The audience witnesses Lean's journey as she experiences the highs and lows that come with such a dangerous and emotional undertaking. She wanders around, largely unaware of the danger and chaos surrounding her. She is both oblivious and observant at the same time, allowing the audience to witness both the beauty and the ugliness of the journey.

The filmmakers present a raw glimpse of what it is like to be a refugee. They expose the intolerable conditions and the complicated paperwork that they need to go through to gain asylum. They also show the generosity of people who offer them food, shelter and clothes when they have nothing left to call their own.

The cinematography of this film is another aspect that is incredibly well executed. The camera captures the striking scenery through which the journey takes place, but also intimately focuses on the facial expressions, gestures, and body language of Lean and her family. In moments of happiness, despair, fear, and relief, the camera skillfully captures the emotions of the characters.

The film's score is an important element that drives the plot forward. The composers support the images’ emotional weight without overpowering the scenes, complementing the mood and tone of the story yet keeping subtle in its execution.

69 Minutes of 86 Days captures the tragedy of displacement and interminable limbo brought on by war. The journey that these families take is an emotional one that leaves you feeling moved and touched by the journey of Lean and her family. The final destination is a bittersweet one as the refugees finally find safety, but the cost of their journey is never forgotten.

Overall, 69 Minutes of 86 Days is an emotionally moving film that provides excellent insight into the devastation of war and the plight of refugees. Despite its heavy subject matter, it offers moments of hope, humanity and proves to be a tender journey, affecting viewers of all ages. A must-watch for anyone willing to expand their horizons, and gain deeper empathy toward similar tragic situations that people are going through around the world.