Film Lens
The film focuses on Alang, India, known as the largest ship graveyard in the world, where ships are dismantled by thousands of workers. The documentary presents the harsh realities faced by the shipbreakers, like Mittu, who come from impoverished backgrounds and see this dangerous work as their only means of survival. It captures the paradox of their situation: the job that could lead to their death is also their hope for a better life.
Through the lens of rituals invoking the goddess Kali, the film covers the cultural significance of this place and the environmental impact of shipbreaking. It shows the tension between the need for jobs in impoverished communities and the environmental consequences of dismantling toxic ships, emphasizing the need for a more ethical approach to ship disposal.
Why Watch
- •Meet Mittu, a shipbreaker from a poor village.
- •See how ships are beached at Alang for dismantling.
- •Find out about the environmental disaster caused by shipbreaking.
Did You Know
•Alang is located on India's Bay of Cambay and is the biggest ship graveyard in the world.
•40,000 men work in Alang, tearing apart half the world's discarded ships.
•The Brazilian chemical tanker Velma approaches its final destination after 30 years at sea.
•Mittus' parents live in sheer poverty and hunger, prompting his move to Alang.
Perfect For
Shipbreaking industryEnvironmental issuesCultural ritualsLabor rights