Buoyancy

Buoyancy from 2019 is a bone-chilling revelation of modern-day slavery, directed by Rodd Rathjen and starring Sarm Heng, Chan Visal, and Chheung Vakhim. Following the dream-filled journey of a young Cambodian boy, the movie accurately portrays dark truths that had been hidden from the spotlight for a long time, charting new courses in contemporary Australian cinema.

The story focuses on a 14-years old Chakra, portrayed by Sarm Heng, a boy not introduced to the horrors of the world yet. He is portrayed as a rural Cambodian worker, tirelessly laboring in his family's rice fields, dreaming of the city enviably. However, his life reflects societal imbalance, imprisoned in multiple societal constructs, shackled by familial obligations, and weighed down by poverty. A confrontational relationship with his father fans the flames of discontent and a desire for escape. His rural existence and the despair associated with it is cleverly juxtaposed against his fantasies of a modern, urbane life.

Held captive by this sociocultural circle, he dreams of escaping to the city. That ambition leads him into the hands of a human trafficker, promising an 'urbanized', better life, only to be sold into slavery on a Thai fishing vessel. That's where Chan Visal's character comes into play, as the sadistic, menacing captain, unearthing his brutal side, enforcing ruthless authority, and maintaining the flow of fear in the blood of captive men.

Chheung Vakhim delivers a strong performance as a fellow captive on board the ship. His portrayal of a subjugated human, haunted by the grim reality but clinging onto survival, amplifies the harsh reality of unseen human exploitation. Through this character, his friendship with Chakra develops, which leads the viewers to get an insight into the power of human resiliency amidst orphaned humanity.

Rodd Rathjen smartly magnifies the huge disparities of their onboard life with Chakra's previous existence. He peels back the layers of reality, exposing the primal horrors of the deep-sea fishing industry. The film successfully delivers a gut-wrenching portrayal of slavery, far removed from the picturesque visions of glimmering oceans and industrious fishing vessels.

Buoyancy savagely contradicts the concept of "sea as freedom," presenting a terrifying tale of sea as a claustrophobic space of powerlessness and horrifying exploitation. As Chakra metamorphoses from an innocent boy to a hardened survivor, he navigates the implications of manhood in an intensely hyper-masculine, horrifyingly abusive environment. The movie explores how survival can co-exist with empathy and the difficult choices one has to make when confronted with nothing but brutality.

In terms of visual storytelling, the film is incredibly skillful, relying heavily on beautifully rendered blue hues, reflecting the international seas where much of the film was shot. The crushing monotony of the sea aligns seamlessly with the traumatizing monotony of the enslaved men's lives – each day brings the same labor, the same violence, the same fear.

On the technical front, the film exhibits stellar craftsmanship. The cinematography by Michael Latham is profound, capturing the vastness yet eeriness of the open sea with its roving seagulls, dramatic sunsets, and endless horizons. Latham's tight framing on the fishing vessel creates an intense, claustrophobic feel, simulating the pressure-cooker environment aboard the ship.

Buoyancy presents a visceral viewing experience, bearing testimony to the ugly truth of over two million people who live in slavery within the Thai fishing industry. Rathjen's direction succeeds not only in highlighting the horrifying conditions of this overlooked issue, but also in evoking immense empathy for the victims of human trafficking.

In conclusion, Buoyancy is a hard-hitting film that illuminates an issue that often remains concealed in the shadows. Through Sarm Heng's compelling lead performance, viewers experience the harrowing journey from dreams of a better life to a brutal portrait of human survival. Buoyancy is not just a movie; it is a socio-political commentary about exploited lives and the monstrous side of globalization, offering an intense, thought-provoking cinematic experience.