Cargo – Review

Cargo

Directed by: Kareem Mortimer | Runtime: 112 minutes

Nowadays it is hard to find a film that covers new ground, that’s why watching Cargo was so refreshing. Stunningly shot and beautifully directed by Kareem Mortimer, Cargo delves deep into the world of people smuggling in the Bahamas; presenting audiences with a snapshot into a different cultural universe. Writer and director of Cargo Kareem Mortimer has long been acclaimed on his native soil in the Caribbean receiving an African Movie Academy Award for his film work. Cargo is a film aimed at reaching a more mainstream audience while still dealing with the issues and prejudices in the Bahamas.

Cargo follows the story of a fisherman named Kevin (Warren Brown) who is living in the Bahamas with his son, estranged/agoraphobic wife and dementia-ridden mother. His pennant for gambling too much and job loss has seen his family hit hard times. With his son about to be booted out of a prestigious private school, Kevin becomes a people smuggler to make ends meet. Warren Brown does an admirable job of playing the complicated Kevin but one can’t help but feel there is something missing in his performance. The character of Kevin is written quite well and the other characters are the perfect cinematic foils for his torn personality. At times, however, Brown seemed insincere and as the leading man, affecting the overall poignancy of the film.

Kevin’s journey throughout the film is well-paced and leads up to a moment of unspeakable inhumanity, highlighting how cold and devastating the people smuggling industry is. One of the most interesting parts of the film, however, is Kevin’s extra-marital affair with Haitian immigrant Celianne (Gessica Geneus). Geneus shines in the role of Celianne, managing to perfectly capture the hope and weariness of living as an illegal immigrant in a different country. She is the only other character in the film that gets her own storyline and I found her’s to be by far the more interesting. Like many of Kareem Mortimer’s other cinematic endeavours, this film touches on the racism endured by the Haitian immigrants living in the Bahamas. He touches on this through Celianne’s everyday struggles as she lives in a poor neighbourhood, raising a son and being constantly put down by her work colleagues and those in positions of authority.

Being Australian, I was no stranger to the concept of people smuggling and the knowledge of the terrible treatment of refugees prevalent in my own homeland. It was almost strange to watch Cargo and realize that despite the difference in country size, the way society in general views refugees is quite similar.

All in all, I would recommend Cargo to anyone interested in seeing something original, interesting and beautifully shot. While most of the acting in the film left a bit to be desired (Craig Pinder as The Major providing the worst Caribbean accent ever to grace the screen), it is easy to imagine how wonderfully it would have played out with actors a bit more on their game.