"Hijacking" deals with the hijacking of a Danish freighter from the POV of the crew as well as the company. In docudrama like fashion, the scene switches between the crew's ordeal on the boat and the difficulties of negotiating. The focus of the crew is on the cook (Pilou Asbaek) and the negotiations take place between the company's CEO (Soren Malling) and an English speaking pirate (Abdihakin Asgar). Most of these actors will be unknown to American audiences although the Danish actors have considerable experience in European films.
Unfortunately, IMO the writer-director Tobias Lindholm has managed to squeeze almost all the drama and excitement from the experience, and many of the photographic choices do not advance the script (e.g., the long shot closing the film).
Though not compelling, the film is nonetheless interesting, and there are a few scenes that are exceptional (e.g., the catching and eating of a fish).
(FWIW – I was once a POW in an African prison where I spent a month during which the government negotiated (unsuccessfully) for my release, so I have some knowledge of what goes on under these kinds of circumstances, although my situation was obviously different from the one depicted in this film.)
Unfortunately, IMO the writer-director Tobias Lindholm has managed to squeeze almost all the drama and excitement from the experience, and many of the photographic choices do not advance the script (e.g., the long shot closing the film).
Though not compelling, the film is nonetheless interesting, and there are a few scenes that are exceptional (e.g., the catching and eating of a fish).
(FWIW – I was once a POW in an African prison where I spent a month during which the government negotiated (unsuccessfully) for my release, so I have some knowledge of what goes on under these kinds of circumstances, although my situation was obviously different from the one depicted in this film.)