The Forgotten Space

The Forgotten Space is a thought-provoking documentary from 2010 that delves deeply into the critical, yet overlooked, aspects of global commerce, focusing particularly on the revolutionary, yet under-recognized, role of cargo containers in shaping the dynamics of the modern world economy. Designed by filmmakers Allan Sekula, an accomplished photographer and theoretician, and Noël Burch, an eminent film theorist, the film is both a visual spectacle and an intellectual exploration of the intricate meshwork of maritime trade and its consequences.

The idea underpinning The Forgotten Space takes root from Sekula's photo series Fish Story, invoiting the viewer to critically examine the relationship between labor and global maritime trade. Through their poetic and personal narrative, Sekula and Burch shine a light on the world that sits quietly behind the guise of globalization, giving viewers an unseen perspective on the high seas.

Spanning multiple continents, the film traces a vast network of maritime routes, from the bustling ports of Los Angeles to Rotterdam to Hong Kong, all edged by sprawling industrial landscapes. We are introduced to the world's shipyards, ports, highways, and warehouses, the keynotes of our global distribution system, which are typically segmented into the background of our everyday understanding. The term "The Forgotten Space" refers metaphorically to the sea itself, a vast expanse that humankind has for centuries sought to conquer and utilize to aid in economic expansion, yet which remains largely opaque to the average consumer.

The Forgotten Space focuses both on the macro and micro aspects of this intricate system. At the macro level, it looks at the modernization of international shipping and trade routes, the transitions in economies, and the corporate politics involved. However, it also gives the audience a profound exposure to the micro perspective, presenting the nuanced human stories of the workers entwined in this global system. We meet the hardy seafarers who navigate the massive cargo ships, the truckers who haul containers over long journeys, the dock laborers who load and unload the often hundreds of thousands of tons of goods, and even the homeless squatters displaced due to the industrial expansion.

A critical element of The Forgotten Space is its exploration of the environmental and humanitarian consequences of such a colossal system. The audience is made to grapple with the unintended effects of relentless global expansion: land displacement, exploitation of labor, environmental degradation, and the strenuous toll it takes on the physical and psychological well-being of maritime workers.

However, The Forgotten Space is not just an intellectual deliberation on maritime commerce. It serves as an important elucidatory tool, using the medium of film to craft an intricate relationship between the visual and the verbal. The filmmakers have made expert use of the cinematographic language to portray the visual immensity of the sea and large scale logistics. The exceptional assembly of sequences and interviews, complemented with profound theoretical commentaries and moving personal narratives, present an arresting tale of the sea and the worldview it accommodates.

In essence, The Forgotten Space is an enlightening exploration of the underbelly of global commerce and its socio-economic, environmental and humanitarian implications. With its compelling narrative, striking cinematography and uninterrupted outlook on a critical aspect of modern existence, this film is an exceptional visual chronicle of the forgotten space we need to pay more attention to. This is a must-watch documentary for those keen on deciphering the esoteric nexus of maritime trade and its implications on human life and our planet.