The inspiration for Beyond the Mast came from the complex dynamics that occur within confined spaces, such as a ship. The power struggles, deception, and personal relationships that form in these spaces create a rich backdrop for storytelling. The idea of an aging cook bonding with a young stowaway highlights the human connection that can transcend class and circumstance, all while a larger narrative of theft and survival unfolds.

While Summer Holiday focused on a more personal, grounded story with non-professional actors, Beyond the Mast introduced seasoned professionals alongside non-actors, including real crew members from the oil tanker. This blend of experience gave the film a unique energy and authenticity. The new production challenges, particularly shooting on a plying oil tanker, also set this film apart in terms of scale and complexity.

One of the biggest challenges was filming on a working oil tanker, which created significant scheduling and logistical issues. Controlling the environment was difficult, especially with noise from the surroundings, which led to the decision to discard location sound entirely. The COVID-19 pandemic also caused long interruptions, making the production stretch from 2019 to 2021.

Given the uncontrollable noise on the oil tanker and other real locations, we decided early on to forego location sound. This allowed us to focus on designing a rich and immersive sonic environment in post-production. We meticulously crafted the sound design to reflect the film’s atmosphere, blending diegetic sound and music to enhance the storytelling experience.

Including real crew members from the oil tanker added a layer of authenticity that would have been difficult to achieve otherwise. Their genuine presence and natural behavior gave the film a raw, unpolished feel that enhanced its realism. This, combined with seasoned actors, created an engaging contrast that serves the film’s themes well.

At its core, the film is about how individuals navigate power struggles in isolated environments. The relationship between Old Maqbool, the cook, and the Helmsman symbolizes this struggle—Maqbool is suspected of being a spy, while the Helmsman tries to manipulate the situation to his advantage. The introduction of Noora, the stowaway, further complicates these dynamics, as lies and deceit begin to unravel the crew’s relationships.

The use of a handheld camera was intentional to create an immersive, documentary-like feel. It brought the audience closer to the characters and their environment, enhancing the sense of immediacy and realism. The rawness that came from this technique was crucial in depicting the harsh, uncontrolled setting of the oil tanker.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruptions in production. We had to halt filming for extended periods, which delayed the project significantly. However, this break also gave us more time to reflect on the film’s direction and refine certain aspects of production, particularly the sound design.

The soundtrack plays a critical role in shaping the film’s atmosphere. Since location sound was avoided, the soundtrack was designed to be immersive and evocative, using diegetic elements to reflect the environment of the oil tanker. The interplay between silence, ambient sound, and music was carefully orchestrated to heighten the tension and emotion in key moments.

I hope that audiences leave with a deeper understanding of the complexities of power and trust, especially in environments where survival is the primary concern. The unlikely bond between Maqbool and Noora is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of adversity. Ultimately, the film is about finding humanity in places where it seems lost.