In continuation of our profiles on films featured in NYFF52, we're turning to Last Hijack, which will screen as part of NYFF Convergence following its debut in Berlin. This documentary explores the phenomenon of piracy in Somalia with a narrative structure that has two interweaving storylines; one depicting the “present” daily lives of the pirates and their community, and the other the “past,” revealing a recent hijacking using epic animation.
Animation gives the filmmakers a chance to leave reality behind and create a symbol of piracy: a giant bird of prey grasps a cargo ship in its talons and flies off with it. Producer-directors Tommy Pallotta, who produced Richard Linklater’s seminal Waking Life, and Femke Wolting, who has collaborated with Peter Greenaway, are confident in shifting from live action to cartoon versions of the characters. Hisko Hulsing’s artwork resembles the best children’s illustrations, painterly with the use of just a few bold colors for contrast and clarity.
Given the amount of media attention Somali piracy has received in recent years, it’s surprising that so few filmmakers have shown the other viewpoint, especially with Somalia topping the list as the world’s most dangerous country. Last Hijack plays like the backstory to Paul Greengrass's Captain Phillips (NYFF51). Convergence Curator Matt Bolish explains: “The interesting thing is the director's level of access. You have a real pirate who completely lets the director's into his normal domestic life, even a hijack. That is unparalleled. However it doesn't turn him into Robin Hood. Mohamed (the pirate) admits he is breaking the law but doesn't think about the ramifications outside of payday. The transmedia is important as it situates this local story in the context of rest of the world, truly representing the butterfly effect of one man's action.”
This exclusive trailer gives viewers a preview of the dramatic transmedia narrative that screens as part of the Convergence section.
Last Hijack | Convergence | NYFF52
NYFF52 Official Description
With their feature documentary Last Hijack, Tommy Pallotta and Femke Wolting introduced audiences to Mohamed, an accomplished pirate considering a career change. Where that film ends, Last Hijack’s transmedia experience begins. Join Pallotta and Wolting as they explore the immersive components of their interactive project, offering a bird’s-eye view of the online elements of their doc that investigates modern-day piracy. Using data visualization, animation, live footage, and audio, the online experience paints a picture not of perpetrators of crimes and victims but of real people whose actions have an effect on the world around them.
