De verstekeling (The Stowaway)

In the former fishing village Mujnak in Karakalpakstan, a republic in Uzbekistan, a family leads a poverty-stricken life. Their source of income has disappeared. It is no longer possible to catch fish in the Aral Sea, which is drying up. Their fishing boats just lie on the endless flats rusting away. The fish have long gone. The father continues to hope for the return of the water. All around him, other boats are cut up with acetylene torches and disposed of. It looks impossible, but the father tries to rescue his boat from oblivion. Even without water, he has a purpose for the boat. His son Orazbai has had enough. He wants another life and departs, destination unknown. As a stowaway on board a ship he turns up in the port of Rotterdam.