Fishing Without Nets (2014) - Cutter Hodierne

Cutter Hodierne's Fishing Without Nets is a film told from the Somali Pirate's point of view.  The story centers around a a Somali fishman, Abdi, who is desperately trying to provide for his family.  In a poverty stricken society, he tries everything to make ends meat, but when all avenues fail him, he reluctantly becomes a pirate in order to provide for his family.  Abdi joins a band of local pirates, helping them capture a French oil tanker, intent on collecting ransom for each of the hostages.  Fishing Without Net is a thought-provoking film that masterfully showcases the similaries between Somali Pirates and everyday citizens.  This film doesn't exonerate these men by any means, but it showcases a situation that isn't as morally black and white as many people suggest.  Fishing Without Nets makes the argument that Somali pirates are doing what they do out of survival, capturing the dire conditions in which they live.  Intentional or not, I think the strongest attribute of the whole film is in showcasing the power of money.  It's a neccessity in all walks of life, with Fishing Without Nets showing the control it has over all of us, no matter the culture or race.  In Fishing Without Nets the Somali Pirates are like any other group of people, with some doing what they do out of neccessity, while others are more monstrous, kidnapping hostages for their own personal satisfaction.  Fishing Without Nets is a conventional film told from an unconventional perspective, effectively showing how this group of Somalians is not different than any group of people - being slaves to the almighty dolla

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