Rocking the Boat (documentary)
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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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]- ^ a b "Fackliga strider på kryssfartyg blir film". Fria.Nu (in Swedish). 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.
- ^ a b "Syndikalistisk strid till havs blir dokumentär". Arbetaren (in Swedish). 2016-05-27. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ^ a b "Om striden på M/S Birger Jarl". Stockholms Fria (in Swedish). 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 Swedish). 2016-06-08. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ^ "Facklig kamp i fokus på ny filmfestival i Malmö". feministisktperspektiv.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 2025-05-30.