All That Breathes

Shaunak Sen’s marvellous documentary is a beautiful and deeply empathetic nature film about two brothers who rescue birds of prey in New Delhi. With great wisdom and humour they show how all life, from fungi to humans, is intertwined, making this a masterly, cinematographic ode to all living things. And, while the Muslim brothers are saving birds, they also have to protect their homes and families from the politico-religious violence of the Hindu government, making you feel how these religious differences are also part of the ecology of the city. An eye-opening and inspirational ode to the city as living organism, ‘All That Breathes’ won the top prize for best documentary at both the Sundance and Cannes film festival earlier this year. ‘The story of two brothers’ commitment to rescuing injured birds and other creatures in the pollution-hit city is beautifully told by Shaunak Sen… Sen’s remarkable film uses the affectionately combative relationship between Nadeem Shehzad and Mohammad Saud, and the painstaking work that they do, as a lens through which to view a city in crisis.’—Wendy Ide, The Observe