Cert TBA
83 mins
BBFC advice: TBA
This early in the year my ambition for everyfilm tends to be overstretched which is why I bought a DVD of the Last Hijack from a seller in the United States.
Tommy Pallotta and Femke Wolting's movie was screened in Ireland and appears on the box office charts for the British Isles.
Therefore, I grabbed a copy on ebay - only to find that it wouldn't work on my allegedly smart screen TV. Fortunately, my laptop accepted it and so I can now report on the strange mix of documentary and animation.
Last Hijack tells the story of the pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia from the perpetrators' point of view.
It follows one pirate, called Mohammed, who is intoxicated by the robberies despite the dangers which have seen many friends killed or jailed.
He is seen talking to friends about a potential raid and these conversations are juxtaposed with a life in which he is estranged from his parents who bring up his children from various unknown partners.
Mohammed and others recount stories of piracy and memories of when Somalia fell into the lawless clutches of warlords and these are illustrated with powerful animated re-enactments.
My issue with Last Hijack is common with many other documentaries in that it lacks narration and, therefore, presumes knowledge.
It was a significant achievement to have been given access to Somali pirates and their families as well as those who are campaigning to free the country from the crime lords' reign of terror.
Much effort is spent on fancy graphics when some well-placed commentary would have been much more effective.
This is a pity because the subject matter should have been more riveting than it was.
Reasons to watch: insight into Somalian piracy
Reasons to avoid: the documentary lacks consistency
Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 6/10
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