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PRESTIGE SHIPWRECK, ANALYSIS OF A DISASTER (THE)
Director(s): Kevin MORRIS Contact Print page
On 19 November 2002, the Prestige oil tanker – carrying 77 000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil –went down off the Coast of Galicia, Spain, after having reported itself in trouble four days earlier.
It’s break-up caused the most disastrous oil spill Europe has known so far, polluting the coastline of Galicia and causing an ecological cataclysm. There was no immediate response from the Spanish government – the fishermen had no other choice than to organise cleaning operations themselves. Their anger, but also their concerted efforts, are indicative of the Galician spirit of solidarity. In the face of tragedy, the people of Galicia behaved with great dignity.
Our film follows the Prestige on its last voyage. The impressive aerial shots supplied by the coast guards have recorded the drama as it unfolded. The story is told like an action film, starting from the moment the oil tanker heads into the violent storm and concluding with its final break-up. Beyond the action, there is also the moving portrait of the ship’s captain, Apostolos Mangouras, who ended up in prison, far from home, despite his bravery throughout the whole crises. He was the easy target, the scapegoat that deflected attention from the incompetence of the Spanish authorities. Analysis of a Disaster » is an appeal for urgent action, an outcry against disgraceful negligence. No-one could say it better than the demonstrators in Galicia : « Nunca mais » …Never again !