Nazila Azizi, the director of the documentary LineOut, employs a unique approach to narrate the harrowing experience of Afghan refugees through the lens of magical realism. This technique, as Azizi explains, serves to make the impossible believable, transforming a straightforward account of fleeing Afghanistan into a poetic and evocative narrative.
In an interview, Azizi reveals the personal journey behind the film. She initially wrote the narration as a form of therapy, reaching out to her concept of home, which she personifies as a woman. This metaphorical representation adds depth to the film's exploration of displacement and loss.
The actress Anousha, who provides the voiceover, shares a similar sentiment. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on one's inner child and inner voice to convey authenticity. The narration, with its anthropomorphized home, becomes a powerful tool to convey the emotional turmoil of refugees.
Magical realism is evident in the film's imagery, such as turbulent ocean waters symbolizing the perilous journeys of migrants, including Afghans, who have lost their lives in the Mediterranean. The sense of loss and grief is pervasive, with dream-like sequences depicting a child carving a house on the sand, only to have it washed away by the waves, symbolizing the fleeting nature of home.
Azizi's personal experience of fleeing Afghanistan and the observed lack of time for grief among refugees influenced her approach. She aims to provide a space for acknowledgment and processing of grief, drawing parallels to Rumi's philosophy of embracing sorrow. This emotional depth is a crucial aspect of the film's impact.
The duality of settling in a new country while missing one's home is a recurring theme. Azizi's two-year journey of crying and missing home highlights the challenges of adapting to a new life. Anousha's own experience of displacement resonates with this, emphasizing the constant nature of the self amidst the unknown.
Ultimately, LineOut presents a profound exploration of the refugee experience, blending magical realism with personal narratives to convey the complexities of displacement, loss, and the search for a sense of home in a new and unfamiliar world.
