Review of A Hijacking (2012) by Chyna C — 15 Jun 2013

A Hijacking (Kapringen) Danish semi-documentary film written and directed by Tobias Lindholm (scripter for The Hunt) . Lindholm has mentioned that his film critically analyzes the situations - he has made the movie for the corporations eager to handle such critical situations (which I have some objection toward). Film uses much of English language.

Somewhere in Indian Ocean Mumbai-bound Danish ship 'Rosen' has been captured by the Somali pirates with 7crew aboard the ship including central character the Cook Mikkel (Pilou Asbaek). Company CEO Peter has taken over the job to subdue or negotiate with the Somali pirates who have put US $15m demand however, Peter has offered just about US $0.9m over the past 4 months making the other seniors run out of patience with CEO's slow handling.

Film opens moderately the unique style of life aboard ship for the crewmembers. To keep the best atmosphere of thrill the music has been well composed - performance is brilliant.

Few things need to be discussed here so to give perspective view on Somali pirates. Back in 2009 when I had discussed this issue of piracy with my then engineering classmates from Somalia here in Pakistan, they told me that how they had adopted ways of being pirates after their coasts had come under foreign military occupation under UN mandate (especially US). He further told me that these Somali pirates were formerly fishermen who would fish to make both ends meet but since their business has been destroyed by the occupying forces some of them have chosen to teach them lesson in this way and so to earn as well.

Negotiating techniques used in the film actually seemed childish at some places. To say the least Somalia does not sit in European junction where you believe the cultural way of talking (that is best adopted in the Europe) should play well for you. For example, when Peter says to negotiator 'Don't play pressure game on me, I know you will not kill anybody' and in the next few seconds he hears the gunshot...now this should only ignite temper of the person you are talking in that tone - people of some parts of the world, cannot be taken for granted with the kind of gesture that you think might pluck out a kind 'consciousness' in them.

This analysis should not mean the film contains flaws and no soberness - it is extremely wonderful if you like pressure buildup movies and only of a kind on modern sea-piracy dominance in the Indian Ocean!