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The Forgotten Space

Name: The Forgotten Space
Director: Allan Sekula, Noël Burch
Released: 2010
Duration: 112 min

Representation Score

5.7/10

Fair

2010

Director

Allan Sekula, Noël Burch

Runtime

112 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film excels at deconstructing Western-centric histories by focusing on the labor of the Global South. Its strength lies in its systemic critique of how global logistics maintain racialized and geopolitical power structures. However, the documentary's focus on macro-economics results in a lack of representation for specific identities. It misses opportunities to explore how gender, queer identity, or disability intersect with the physical and social realities of labor exploitation. Ultimately, the work is a sophisticated political tool that prioritizes systemic analysis over individual character-driven diversity.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Forgotten Space have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The documentary focuses on macro-economic structures and labor movements. It does not include specific LGBTQ+ characters or narratives centered around non-cisgender identities.

How does The Forgotten Space portray gender?

Fair

The narrative emphasizes class and labor over gendered power structures. While it challenges traditional industrial clichés, it does not specifically address gendered power dynamics.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Forgotten Space?

Excellent

The film uses a global perspective to explore the intersection of geography and race. It highlights the experiences of seafarers from Asia and Chinese factory workers to challenge Anglo-centric views.

How does The Forgotten Space represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film provides a deep critique of Western capitalist dominance. It portrays containerization as a mechanism of systemic oppression against local sovereignty.

Does The Forgotten Space include disability representation?

Limited

The film touches on the physical toll of maritime and industrial labor. However, it lacks intentional representation of neurodivergence or visible disabilities as central figures.

Present on Screen

Disrupts Anglo-centric views of commerce by highlighting Asian and Chinese labor.
Provides a deep critique of Western institutional dominance and neoliberal capitalism.
Uses a globalized lens to examine the intersection of geography and race.

Limited or Absent

Lacks specific representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender narratives.
Fails to address specific gendered power dynamics within the labor force.
Does not provide intentional representation of neurodivergence or visible disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Details the catastrophic effects globalization has wrought on the ship, truck and train industries. We visit displaced farmers and villagers in Holland and Belgium, underpaid truck drivers in Los Angeles, seafarers aboard mega-ships shuttling between Asia and Europe, and factory workers in China, whose low wages are the fragile key to the whole puzzle. At a moment when collective bargaining rights are under attack in the United States, and China continues to bow to foreign pressures to prevent such rights from being granted at all, this film asks: Is capitalism the Trojan horse that turns on its inventors?

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