Watch The Pirates of Somalia

The Pirates of Somalia is a 2017 biographical drama film directed by Bryan Buckley and starring Al Pacino, Evan Peters, and Melanie Griffith. The film tells the story of Jay Bahadur (played by Peters), a struggling writer who moves to Somalia to investigate and write about piracy in the region. He teams up with a seasoned "fixer" named Abdi (played by Barkhad Abdi) to gain access to the elusive pirates and their dangerous world.

The film begins with Bahadur's failed attempts at getting published and becoming a journalist. He is inspired to pursue the story of Somali piracy after attending a lecture at his alma mater by a journalist who had interviewed pirates. With little money and no contacts, Bahadur travels to Somalia and quickly realizes the dangers of the region, especially for a foreign journalist.

He is initially unsuccessful in his attempts to gain the trust of the pirates, but with Abdi's help, he finally gains access to a pirate camp. There, he meets the notorious pirate kingpin, Isse (played by Abdikani Muktar), and he begins to understand the motivations behind the pirates' actions.

As Bahadur spends more time with the pirates, he becomes increasingly conflicted about his role in their story. He develops a friendship with one of the pirates, Asad (played by Mohamed Barre), who shares his dreams of a better life outside of piracy. Bahadur also struggles with the ethical implications of his work and the impact it may have on the pirates and the people of Somalia.

The film delves into the complex socio-economic and political factors that have led to the rise of piracy in Somalia. It portrays the pirates not as villains, but as individuals who have been forced into a life of crime due to the lack of opportunities and the presence of foreign ships illegally fishing in Somali waters. The film also highlights the corruption and complicity of some politicians and businessmen in the region.

Throughout the film, Pacino's character, a veteran journalist named Seymour Tolbin, serves as a mentor and sounding board for Peters' character. Tolbin encourages Bahadur to tell the story of the pirates with honesty and integrity, even if it means risking his own life.

The performances in the film are standout, particularly Peters' portrayal of Bahadur as a naive and idealistic young man who is forced to confront harsh realities. Pacino is charming in his supporting role, providing some much-needed levity to the film. Abdi, known for his role in Captain Phillips, delivers a strong performance as the savvy and street-smart fixer.

The film's cinematography is impressive, with the harsh and rugged surroundings of Somalia captured in a vivid and realistic way. The score by Andrew Feltenstein and John Nau adds to the tension and emotion of the film.

Overall, The Pirates of Somalia is a gripping and thought-provoking film that sheds light on a complex and often-misunderstood issue. It is a testament to the bravery and dedication of journalists like Jay Bahadur, who risk their lives to give a voice to those who are often ignored or marginalized.

The Pirates of Somalia is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 58 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 54.