It’s time to rethink everything you thought you knew about pirates. Join documentary filmmaker Thymaya Payne as he presents his film “Stolen Seas” at The Church in Sag Harbor on Friday, May 17, at 7 p.m.
“Stolen Seas,” which follows pirate translator and negotiator Ishmael Ali, tells the story of 13 powerless men trapped on a ship and it explores why their captors feel justified in their tyranny. After the screening, there will be a Q&A with the acclaimed writer and filmmaker.
Attempting to make sense of the rapid changes at the hands of globalization and intrigued by the emerging story of piracy in Somalia, Payne began a journey to discover how the world’s poorest were taking hostage of the world’s richest and how these “agents of change” fit into the larger picture. How did he manage to get a hold of a Somali pirate? How did he track down a pirate negotiator? How did the camera get on board a 13-man crew ship to witness a potential life-threatening negotiation for $7 million?
As Houthi rebels in the Red Sea emerge into headlines, how does this film help highlight the influence of the Somali pirate phenomenon of our modern era? What can we learn and what insights can we gain?
The screening has been programmed as part of Thymaya Payne’s 2024 residency at The Church. Tickets Are $10 (free for members with RSVP) at thechurchsagharbor.org. The Church is at 48 Madison Street in Sag Harbor.
Staff Writer on Apr 30, 2024