Modern Piracy’s Evolution

When pirates began invading ships and taking hostages in the seas surrounding Somalia, it was world news. We heard daily about these hostages and ransoms and the rather archaic seeming bandits responsible for the acts. What we heard little about was why these Somali people suddenly began hijacking giant vessels. There was little talk of the U.S.’ accidental bombing on a meeting of area elders, and no discussion of the toxic waste being dumped into the seas. But it was the commercial fish robbing along the coastline that took all the area had left. Soon, famine became more severe, and the last traces of sustenance vanished. Now, pirates are so common they’re considered a cost of doing business by boat in those waterways. It’s a story that’s told well in the new documentary Stolen Seas, which is being shown at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Studio Movie Grill at Royal Lane (11170 N. Central Expy.). Seas is being brought to us by the Video Association of Dallas, the Dallas Video Fest and Something to Talk About, and it gives a compelling look inside the hostage negotiations of one hijacked vessel. Learn a thing or two Tuesday. Tickets cost $10. Visit studiomoviegrill.com.
Tue., Jan. 15, 2013