LENGTH: 47Min

GENRE: Documentary

A FILM BY Alex Veitch & Talat Bhat

LANGUAGE Swedish/English/Urdu with English/Swedish subtitles

COUNTRY OF PRODUCTION: Sweden

Supported by: Film I Skåne & Filmcentrum

Editor: Matilda Henningsson

Cinematographer: Alex Veitch, Talat Bhat, Shamim Berkeh, AnnaKalara Åhrén 

SOUND DESIGN: Andreas Karlsson

COLORIST: Rodrigo J Gomez

MUSIC: Janne Tavares 

PREMIERE: (Earlier 2026)

PRODUCTION: RåFILM Film Collective, Malmö

DISTRIBUTOR: RåFILM and FilmCentrum

Logline:

A migrant seaman joins his exploited father on a cruise ship in Sweden, igniting a fight against modern-day slavery for their dignity.

Synopsis:

“Rocking the Boat” chronicles the journey of Talat Bhat, who arrives from Kashmir in Stockholm in 1997 to join his father, a seaman working under exploitative “white slavery” conditions on a Baltic cruise ship since 1985, a stark contrast to Sweden’s progressive image.Witnessing and experiencing the systemic mistreatment of non-EU workers as cheap, disposable labour, Talat courageously decides to challenge this system and organize against formidable opposition.The film documents the arduous struggle of immigrant workers fighting for basic rights and fair treatment in a foreign land, highlighting the immense personal risks and power dynamics involved.More than a labour dispute, it’s a powerful narrative of immigrant empowerment, resilience, and the fundamental human need for dignity, offering an intimate look at the personal cost of fighting injustice and the collective strength found in organizing for decent work and the recognition of shared humanity.