In a striking sequence from “All That Breathes” the protagonists of our film engage in a dangerous river crossing to bring back from the other shore a baby black kite in need of help. Brothers Nadeem and Saud, together with their apprentice, build a small veterinary clinic around this bird of prey, which acts as an oasis of altruism and friendship in the midst of a polluted, noisy metropolis. No money comes out of it and even the glory is fragile, while the obstacles – the ever-increasing costs and the winding course of life itself – abound on all sides. If “All That Breathes” proves so important, it is because it joins these people for whom the bird goes beyond any slogan or peace of mind during sleep – the bird is the very litmus test of our own humanity. Gently oscillating between environmental anxiety and the humour of the delightful interactions between man and bird, the film brings to light thick layers of social hypocrisy, while searching for a breach that allows hope to flow freely. (Victor Morozov)