Freightened: The Real Price of Shipping

Freightened: The Real Price of Shipping is a gripping 2016 documentary by Denis Delestrac that takes a deep dive into the often-overlooked world of global shipping industry. The film stars Trevor Hayes and Eric Wiberg, and apart from being informative, it is an eye-opener that unveils an industry that holds a substantial yet largely hidden footprint on global economy and environment.

The film begins with a look at our modern, consumer-driven society, highlighting the undeniable truth that most of the goods we consume are delivered to us by ship. This integral part of our globalized lives is taken for granted, and it is precisely this that Freightened: The Real Price of Shipping sets to scrutinize. While providing an interesting overview of how goods are transferred from one part of the world to another via massive transportation vessels, the documentary begins to uncover the hidden costs associated with this worldwide phenomenon.

Trevor Hayes, one of the key figures in the film, plays an investigator who embarks on an intrepid global journey to expose the hidden side of the shipping industry. He uncovers some startling facts and figures, showing us just how much our economy relies upon the efficient functioning of the global shipping industry, while also revealing the vast environmental consequences that this global industry continues to wreak on our planet.

Eric Wiberg, another notable figure in the film, provides expert commentary throughout. His insights on the shipping industry enhance the information presented in the film, providing viewers with a broader understanding of the industry's complexity and importance.

Visuals play a significant role in Freightened: The Real Price of Shipping. The cinematography itself is an exploration of size and scale, with stunning aerial shots of massive, complex ports and sweeping views of colossal container ships that dwarf everything else in sight. These images, coupled with the in-depth interviews and enlightening facts presented, makes for a visually compelling and deeply educational viewing experience.

Throughout the film, the narrative delves into the enormous and often hidden reach of the shipping industry, which despite being responsible for 90 percent of worldwide trade, remains largely disconnected from public awareness. The film takes a comprehensive inquiry into the industry's monopoly, its dubious business practices, the socioeconomic implications, the environmental fallout from its practices, and the shocking working conditions faced by those on board these massive vessels.

Freightened: The Real Price of Shipping raises questions about sustainability and ethics in a system that has become an embedded part of everyday life. Viewers are given a glimpse into an industry that, despite being obscured from the public eye, plays a significant yet often unnoticed role in shaping the world we live in.

While it explores the intricate corollaries that shipping has with corporate interests and international law, the documentary also posits how solutions towards sustainable practices in the industry could look like. It advocates for change, presenting thought-provoking narratives that demand scrutiny and action from viewers, authorities, and consumers alike.

Freightened: The Real Price of Shipping is not merely a documentary about global shipping. It is a critical examination of our heavily globalized and consumer-oriented society. This film challenges its viewers to ponder about the actual price we pay for our material wants and needs, instigating a realization about the unseen cost behind the conveniences of modern life.

The film is much more than an exposé of an industry. It's a stark, frank dissection of our collective blindness towards the cost at which our consumer culture thrives. Denis Delestrac unflinchingly puts the reality of our everyday life under the microscope, opening our eyes to the hard-hitting truth that lurks beneath the surface of our global interconnectedness. As such, it is a movie that will resonate significantly, not only with those interested in the shipping industry or in documentaries, but with anyone concerned about the future of the planet and our societies. It's an immersive journey that enlightens as much as it concerns, leaving us contemplating the path we're carving for the generations to come.