Making a movie like this really takes guts. It also takes some to watch it; it’s bleak, raw and thematically, if not graphically, brutal. It’s kind of amazing it exists; the passion and drive to produce it is seriously admirable. I’m grateful for it. Tough going but worth it.

I really highlight how outstanding the performance of the actors is. Particularly from the leading actor played by Sarm Heng. He is simply convincing and believable. Portraying the situation the character falls into would not have been an easy task, especially considering this is based on real themes and event. This should be included as one of the must-watch documentaris, periodt.

Watchlist Wednesday №2

Wenn brutale Sklaverei nunmal die billigste Möglichkeit ist einen ganzen Industriezweig zu versorgen, wird es auch noch heute irgendwo auf der Welt gemacht.
Ist zwar keine Dokumentation, aber die langen mit dem Boot schwankenden Einstellungen, die ziemlich drastische physische und psychische Gewalt, der bedrohliche Score, die wenigen Worte und besonders der junge Hauptdarsteller und der sehr "gute" Bösewicht sorgen für eine eindringliche und hoffnungslose Atmosphäre.

Archaisches und doch mahnend-aktuelles Bildsprachen-Kino.

I'll definitely be looking into where the cat food I buy is sourced...

Rodd Rathjen's Buoyancy presents a brutal depiction of modern slavery in the Southeast Asian fishing industry, told from the perspective of a 14 year old boy hoodwinked into enslavement with the promise of employment. I'm always happy to see a great Australian production, and I'm especially thrilled to see an Australian filmmaker shining a light on a very important topic in one of our neighbouring countries. The topic is one that needs more attention, and the film itself is a success on a technical basis. It is well-told, solidly acted and presents the narrative with a stark realism that proves enormously effective.

This is so well made.

Totally illuminating and devastating about the current slavery/ murder that exists on our doorstep for what essentially our pet food.

This film is so well directed. Style totally up my alley. Observational, mature and patient with excellent performances. An important film that can hopefully save some lives and educate the world.

A boy stripped of innocence in the vast, inescapable ocean–where the dead and the living cross ways. The ocean as the harbinger of strength and desperation, while blurring both altogether to exact confusion. Survival of the fittest is the name of the game for those who had to suffer the pains of slavery in the hands of human traffickers. Like the Cambodian boy, we all live to tell our own tales of inspiration. His tale–needless to say–has been told by many that it brings us to question whether his story is to merely add to the experiences of those who had undergone a fate similar to his or to phish for inspiration in this indifferent world we live in.

Buoyancy (2019) yang merupakan debut film panjang dari Rodd Rathjen sedikit mengingatkanku dengan film Joker yang rilis di tahun yang sama. Sama-sama kisah tragis dan brutal yang dialami seorang manusia. Namun, bukan lagi kota Gotham, Buoyancy membawa kita ke sebuah kapal nelayan di perairan Asia Tenggara. Menyaksikan lebih dekat perdagangan manusia dan kekejaman perbudakan modern dari perspektif remaja miskin Kamboja yang ingin hidup bahagia. Meskipun berjalan lambat, ketegangan yang pelan-pelan terbangun cukup mampu merayu mata agar tak beranjak dari layar. Akting Sarm Heng sebagai pemeran utama sungguh impresif. Melihatnya menggadaikan sedikit demi sedikit kemanusiaannya demi bertahan hidup dan merebut kembali kebebasannya yang dirampas membuat hati kian panas. Dan, semakin terasa memilukan ketika mengetahui kenyataan bahwa perdagangan dan perbudakan ini masih terjadi sampai saat ini.

(Jogja-NETPAC Asia Film Festival 2019)

We're gonna need a bigger boat.