Watch The Forgotten Space

The Forgotten Space, a 2010 documentary film, explores the impact of globalization and international trade on the world's oceans and the people who rely on them for their livelihoods. Directed by Allan Sekula and Noël Burch, the film takes an interdisciplinary approach to its subject matter, drawing on a range of sources including interviews with sailors and dockworkers, archival footage, and written texts.

The film begins by examining the massive freight containers that are used to transport goods around the world, tracing their journey from the factory where they are produced to the ports where they are loaded onto container ships. The filmmakers show how the standardization of shipping containers has revolutionized the global economy, making it possible to move vast quantities of goods quickly and cheaply across great distances. But as the film makes clear, this system has come at a high cost.

The Forgotten Space argues that the global shipping industry has had a devastating impact on the world's oceans and the people who rely on them. The film highlights the damage caused by pollution from shipping vessels and the destruction of marine habitats in port cities, as well as the exploitation of low-paid and often undocumented laborers who work on the docks and aboard ships. Through interviews with sailors and dockworkers, the filmmakers reveal the harsh realities of life on board a container ship, where long hours, low pay, and unsafe working conditions are the norm.

One of the film's most powerful segments explores the story of the Port of Los Angeles, which was once a thriving hub for the fishing industry but has since been transformed into one of the world's busiest container ports. The film shows how the growth of the shipping industry has led to the displacement of fishermen and the destruction of their traditional way of life. The filmmakers interview local fishermen who express their deep sadness over the loss of their community and their frustration with the lack of support from the government.

The Forgotten Space also examines the geopolitical implications of global trade, arguing that the dominance of Western companies and rich nations in the shipping industry has contributed to economic inequality and the marginalization of developing countries. The film shows how the shipping industry has created a network of global trade routes that heavily favor wealthy nations and reinforce existing power imbalances. The filmmakers argue that this system has perpetuated poverty and reinforced dependencies between countries.

Throughout the film, the filmmakers draw intriguing connections between seemingly disparate subjects. For example, they compare the standardized size and shape of shipping containers to the design of standardized housing units, arguing that both are emblematic of a larger trend toward the dehumanization and standardization of modern life. This kind of interdisciplinary thinking is a hallmark of the film, and it helps to deepen our understanding of the complex social, economic, and environmental issues at stake.

Despite its sobering subject matter, The Forgotten Space is a visually stunning film, filled with beautiful cinematography of the ocean, ports, and cities around the world. The filmmakers use these images to convey a sense of both the beauty and the fragility of the natural world, and to emphasize the urgent need for action to protect the oceans and the people who depend on them.

In summary, The Forgotten Space is a powerful and deeply thought-provoking documentary that explores the hidden costs of globalization and international trade on the world's oceans and the people who rely on them. Through a combination of archival footage, interviews, and breathtaking imagery, the filmmakers make a compelling case for the urgent need for action to protect our planet and build a more equitable and sustainable global economy.

The Forgotten Space is a 2012 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 54.