The Container
War Drama | Based on True Events | Thriller
Written by Matt Boda & Sylvie Boda
Logline: Inspired by true events, a group of migrants trapped inside a shipping container desperately try to survive a perilous journey in search of a better life.
Synopsis: "The Container" delves into the poignant micro-odyssey of a cohort of North African migrants, courageously embarking on the treacherous "Libya to Italy" trafficking route in their quest to break free from poverty, conflict, and oppression. Through the eyes of Abrihet, an 8-year-old Eritrean girl, and her father Filmon, we are immersed in their journey alongside a pair of Nigerian brothers, a resilient mother of two, a Sudanese survivor of human trafficking, and an anxious villager determined to survive against all odds. Throughout their intense 36-hour expedition, this eclectic group of strangers must collaborate to maintain silence through security checkpoints, endure blistering 115+ degree heat while preserving their hydration, and take turns sharing their dreams of a fresh start as they navigate the arid Libyan desert.
“THE CONTAINER has the potential to devastate a modern audience once realized on screen. The premise could not be more fiercely of-the-moment.”
Director’s Statement: Heavily influenced by Cary Fukunaga’s Netflix Original film, Beasts of No Nation, which tells a disturbing tale of child soldiers in the Congo, our film can easily be made for a budget between 500K - 1M. We are currently partnered with Katrina Wolfe on this project.
The timeline of The Container is short. Being only 88 pages and taking place over the course of 36 hours, this art house film concentrates on the migrants’ reactions to the situations happening in and outside the container, the enchanting but menacing desert landscape, the perspective of the smuggler who drives the truck transporting the migrants and from a no-nonsense Border Patrol Officer in hot pursuit. Creating entire scenes using intense soundscapes, the audience will watch and wait with these migrants as their emotions are captured in their eyes and silent trepidation. This sad tale serves an important purpose. I find myself complaining regularly about my wages, about the traffic in my city, about what kind of food I want to eat, about the speed of my internet access and so on. I believe it’s crucial to remind myself daily that there are millions of people in the world who’s entire lives revolve around simply surviving. People who don’t get to experience any of the luxuries that I do. People who would risk death to have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower. I hope others will feel the same. Essentially, by raising awareness through the magical medium of film, solutions may arise as well.