this sear drama base on a true incident concern several ambitious african national who decide to temporarily leave their family by stow away on an outbound ship . they think that if they successfully make the voyage they can better their life by make enough money in new york to send for their family . unfortunately for them and the ship that they select be a rundown russian freighter which have already be heavily fin at a previous port for harbor stowaway . the captain and the first mate be determine not to let this happen again a their job be on the line . the group of black begin their harrowing voyage in the cargo hold and be eventually discover and force out of hiding and murder by the ruthless mate ( an outstanding performance by sean pertwee . ) a few ( convincingly terrify leader omar epps among them ) manage to temporarily escape and be mercilessly pursue through the ship with their life forfeit if they be catch . altogether a riveting film which will have audience bite their nail and grit their teeth wonder how such dire event could take place in modern civilization .