New York Film Festival 2022: ALL THAT BREATHES

Our world balances on a delicate ecosystem. Yet, with the exponential growth of the human race, this delicate balance has had to evolve and reinvent itself –  threatening to collapse at any moment. And while talk often surrounds the disappearance of ice shelves and rising waters, the animal life surrounding man-made environments proves itself just as relevant and just as vital. For Shaunak Sen‘s documentary All That Breathes, the focus is on the vital role and necessity of the Black Kite. From exquisite cinematography and craftsmanship of the lens, All That Breathes captures the noble effort to save the Black Kites, transforming from a humanitarian venture to a broad-scale look at the deepening harm of manmade environments, religious turmoil, and devastating capitalistic effect.

Crafting the Environment

Set to the backdrop of growing violence in the city’s streets and worsening air quality, Salik, Mohammad and Nadeem run a wildlife rescue, bringing in injured birds they find throughout the city of Delhi to repair and eventually release back into the wild. While some are easy fixes due to exhaustion and malnutrition, others are not so easy. And neither is the environment they work in.

Power outages, immense heat, poor air quality, and flooding each provide additional challenges to their never ceasing devotion to the local bird population. Yet, it is not only the psychical environment they have to contend with but also the socio-political, with funding and donations scarce, especially in the face of growing violence. All That Breathes does not turn the camera away in these moments of struggle, rather leaning and capturing it in its rawest form.

Changing Focus

A slow-burn documentary, All That Breathes is at times more about the imagery it captures of the birds and the surrounding evolved ecosystem than the individuals who are determined to save them. A documentary artistically crafted with intent, it is loaded with pensive cinematography and panning shots that take in the depth and beauty of the world surrounding Delhi and its animal inhabitants. Even when it is capturing the pollution and littering that has become the new permanent environment for the surrounding wildlife, there is a deep understanding of the heartbeat that still remains and the endurance of life to live and coexist.

Often this pensive cinematography and panned wide shots are focus-altering, many times taking in the exquisite beauty of a spider and changing the focus to take in the world behind it. Though it does not stop there, the film goes deeper, giving a reflectional look at humanity, reflections in the water near wildlife giving both an intrusive and cohesive perspective at mankind. And while it delivers an artistically mesmerizing look at the world around Delhi, it also asks its audience to listen – to look. Sometimes we need to change our focus. And All That Breathes does just that.

Devastating Effects of Change

While many will look at this film as another niche in the warning call regarding climate change as a whole, All That Breathes captures how changes to one element can have devastating effects. Salik, Mohammad and Nadeem, as well as the film’s director Sen, each possess a deep understanding of the birds and the world around them. They capture Nadeem’s questions, becoming equally informative to their audience. The Black Kites eat the trash, the number of birds within the city of Delhi keeps the trash height at reasonable levels. Should the birds disappear, the trash would be overflowing.

And the birds are seemingly disappearing. While it is hard to know the true passage of time the documentary covers, mirroring the words of its subjects in regards to their basement, it is the number of birds brought into the hospital that marks time. Birds are brought before mating season and during, and the number increasing of those brought into the hospital as the documentary continues. Birds are falling from the sky, the quality is indicated as poor by the air purifier – air quality so bad it is not advised for people to go outside long or swim in the river. With each delivery, the boxes and cages containing birds continues to grow.

Conclusion:

Yet, All that Breathes is not without hope. Through the ups and downs, Salik, Mohammad and Nadeem are unwavering in their mission to help the Black Kites – no matter what form their contribution takes. And as they secure more funding and opportunity, there is a joy that glows from each plotted point of construction to each release. One of the standout moments is Nadeem and one of the Black Kites starring at one another. There is a unique sense of trust and love that is shared in this moment – in this exchange. A complete sense of loyalty forged by time and experience, but also deep profound respect. Where Salik and Mohammad are the healers and the planners, Nadeem is the heart. United, they deliver hope for the Black Kites – and for the world.

Have you seen All that Breathes? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below!

Watch All that Breathes