The Sailor

The documentary contains no LGBTQ+ characters or same-sex romance. The story centers on Paul Erling Johnson’s solitary life at sea and his past relationships with women. Non-heteronormative identities are absent from the narrative.

Paul, an eighty-year-old man, drives the entire narrative through his reflections on freedom and boat building. Women appear only as background figures, such as his deceased parents and ex-wives. They are discussed rather than shown as active participants in the story.

The cast consists almost exclusively of white individuals, reflecting the historical demographics of the maritime industry. Paul is the sole central figure, and no characters of color are featured in the interviews or archival footage.

The film celebrates individualism and rejection of material wealth, with Paul stating he lives below the poverty line and is happy. Traditional structures like stable employment are questioned as he quits a military job to sail, framing independence as superior to societal expectations.

No characters with physical or mental disabilities are featured in the documentary. Paul’s aging body is mentioned regarding his difficulty waking up early, but this is treated as a natural part of life rather than a disability.