Rocking the Boat (documentary)
Rocking the Boat is a Swedish documentary film directed by Talat Bhat and produced by the film collective RåFILM. The film explores the struggle of non-European migrant workers aboard the Swedish cruise ship M/S Birger Jarl (formerly Baltic Star) and their collective efforts to resist exploitation and secure workers' rights in Sweden.
Synopsis
The documentary follows the story of Talat Bhat and his father, both of whom worked on M/S Birger Jarl after migrating from Kashmir. Like many others from South Asia, they endured exploitative labor conditions on the ship, working up to 14 hours a day without fair compensation.[1][2]
In 2008, EU maritime labor regulations were modified, resulting in the dismissal of 19 Pakistani and Kashmiri crew members due to their non-EU status. In protest, the workers joined the Swedish syndicalist union SAC Syndikalisterna, initiating a blockade against the company.[3][4] While they were eventually dismissed, the campaign attracted national attention and led to them securing permanent residence in Sweden.[1]
Production
Filmmaker Talat Bhat began documenting the struggle in 2008. The film is a collaboration with RåFILM, a Malmö-based production collective focusing on activist and social-justice-oriented filmmaking.[5] The project is supported by organizations such as the Film I Skåne and has featured work in progress (wip) at labor-themed film festivals around Europe
Themes
The film deals with immigration, labor rights, syndicalism, and the challenges faced by migrant workers in Europe. It offers a unique intersectional perspective, highlighting issues of race, nationality, and class.[4]
Screenings and Reception
Rocking the Boat has been featured at Nordic labor film festivals and activist film events across Scandinavia.[6] It has drawn attention from left-wing and labor-focused media outlets for its portrayal of worker-led resistance.[3][7]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Fackliga strider på kryssfartyg blir film". Fria.Nu (in svenska). 2016-05-30. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ↑ Haking, Erik (2016-05-31). "From Kashmir to Sweden, a struggle for justice". The Kashmir Walla. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Syndikalistisk strid till havs blir dokumentär". Arbetaren (in svenska). 2016-05-27. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Om striden på M/S Birger Jarl". Stockholms Fria (in svenska). 2016-06-08. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ↑ "Rafilm – Rocking The Boat". Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ↑ "Om striden på M/S Birger Jarl". Stockholms Fria (in svenska). 2016-06-08. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ↑ "Facklig kamp i fokus på ny filmfestival i Malmö". feministisktperspektiv.se (in svenska). Archived from the original on 2025-05-30. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
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