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Timeline

The Pirates of Somalia (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 116 min · English
Echo score 75
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Directed by
Bryan Buckley
Starring
Al Pacino, Melanie Griffith, Barkhad Abdi, Robert Hobbs, mohamed Hakeemshady, Evan Peters

In 2008, a determined journalist embeds himself with pirates operating off the coast of Somalia. The film offers a revealing look into their dangerous world, exploring the difficult realities that drive these high-seas criminals and the lives of the men who inhabit the lawless coastline. It’s a raw and immersive portrayal of a complex situation.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like The Pirates of Somalia
  6. 6 Every angle
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15 events in order · contains spoilers

The Pirates of Somalia Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Pirates of Somalia (2017) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Jay's Stagnation

    In 2008, Jay Bahadur, a recent Canadian college graduate, finds himself stuck working in marketing research for a napkin manufacturer. Living in his parents' basement, he struggles to find inspiration and yearns for a breakthrough in his writing career.

    When
    2008
  2. Meeting Seymour Tolden

    After injuring his back while shoveling snow, Jay finds himself in a doctor's waiting room where he encounters famed writer Seymour Tolden. This meeting becomes a turning point for Jay as Seymour shares valuable advice that writers are made through real-life experiences.

    Where
    Doctor's office
  3. Inspiration for Adventure

    Inspired by Seymour's words, Jay decides to embark on a journey to Somalia under the pretense of writing a book about the country's pirates. Despite having no publishing experience or a book deal, Jay is determined to start his writing career in the field.

    Where
    Canada
  4. Arrival in Somalia

    Upon arriving in Somalia, Jay swiftly connects with local contacts thanks to Seymour's connections. He is immediately introduced to a translator and the country's President, which opens doors for his investigative pursuits.

    Where
    Somalia
  5. Encounter with a Somali Beauty

    From his apartment, Jay catches a glimpse of a beautiful Somali woman who captures his attention. Unbeknownst to him, she is married to Boyah, a powerful pirate, a connection that leads to an unprecedented interview.

    Where
    Jay's apartment, Somalia
  6. First Interview with Boyah

    Jay secures an exclusive interview with Boyah, marking a significant milestone as the first Western journalist to gain access to such an influential figure. This event not only bolsters Jay's ambitions but also marks the blossoming of a romantic interest.

    Where
    Somalia
  7. Interviews with Other Pirates

    Following his success with Boyah, Jay conducts interviews with other powerful Somali pirates. These conversations offer critical insights into the pirates' lives and the wider complexities of piracy in the region.

    Where
    Somalia
  8. Journey to the Coastline

    Jay embarks on a tense journey to the Somali coastline to interview prisoners from a hijacked vessel. The atmosphere is charged, especially as news breaks that the pirates suspect him of being connected to the CIA.

    Where
    Somalia coastline
  9. Rising Tensions

    As Jay prepares to board the vessel for his interviews, he is informed at dawn that the pirates have relocated, increasing the tension in the environment. This moment coincides with growing media coverage of Captain Phillips being held hostage, heightening the stakes.

    Where
    Somalia
  10. Financial Struggles

    Jay's financial situation begins to deteriorate as his time in Somalia draws to a close. Faced with mounting pressures, his parents come to his aid, sending money to facilitate his return to Canada.

    Where
    Somalia
  11. Return to Canada

    After a turbulent experience, Jay arrives in Toronto, greeted by an overwhelming 250 voicemail messages from networks and book publicists. Despite the chaos, he must navigate the reality of his newfound fame and opportunities.

    Where
    Toronto, Canada
  12. Detained by CSIS

    At the airport, Jay is detained by Canada's CSIS for questioning regarding insider information about Somalia. This unexpected encounter adds stress to his return as he must justify his actions during his overseas adventure.

    Where
    Toronto Airport, Canada
  13. Surprise Welcome Home

    Jay is finally welcomed home to a surprise party thrown by his friends and Seymour. The celebration marks a joyous but surreal end to his ordeal in Somalia and the beginning of a new chapter in his life.

    Where
    Jay's home, Canada
  14. Meeting with US Intelligence

    Three years later, Jay finds himself in a vital briefing with US Intelligence regarding Somalia, showcasing how far he has come since his initial struggles. His successful book has made him a credible voice on the topic, highlighting his unexpected journey into journalism.

    When
    3 years later
    Where
    US Intelligence Office
  15. Credits Roll

    As the credits roll, real-life images of Jay Bahadur are shared, connecting the audience to the authenticity of his experiences. This final touch serves as a reminder of the real-world implications of his story.

Last updated: December 24, 2024 at 10:01

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Timeline questions answered

The Pirates of Somalia Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Pirates of Somalia (2017): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Jay Bahadur decide to go to Somalia?

Jay decided to go to Somalia after meeting writer Seymour Tolbin in a doctor's waiting room. Seymour's advice that writers are made through real-life experiences inspired Jay to seek an adventure that could launch his writing career. Despite having no publishing experience or book deal, he chose Somalia because he wanted to write about the pirates, believing it would give him the compelling story he needed.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Jay is shown working a mundane marketing job and living in his parents' basement, establishing his desire for something more.

  • jay bahadur
  • somalia
  • writer
  • seymour tolbin
  • motivation
Q2

How did Jay get connected to the President of Somalia?

Jay's connections in Somalia came through Seymour Tolbin, the famous writer he met in the doctor's office. Using his own contacts, Seymour arranged for Jay to have a translator and an introduction to the President of Somalia before Jay even arrived, giving him unprecedented access for his investigation.

Foreshadowing: Seymour's cryptic advice about writers being made through struggles foreshadows the help he provides.

  • president of somalia
  • seymour tolbin
  • connections
  • translator
Q3

Who is Boyah in the movie?

Boyah is one of the most powerful and notorious Somali pirates. Jay manages to secure an exclusive interview with him, making history as the first Western journalist to gain access to such an influential pirate leader. Jay first encounters Boyah through his wife, a Somali woman Jay sees from his apartment.

Foreshadowing: Jay spots the beautiful woman from his apartment before learning she is married to the pirate leader.

  • boyah
  • pirate leader
  • somali pirate
  • interview
Q4

Why did the pirates suspect Jay of being a CIA agent?

The pirates grew suspicious of Jay because he was conducting interviews and asking questions while the region was under intense international scrutiny. This suspicion was heightened by the high-profile kidnapping of Captain Phillips, which had prompted the United States to deploy three warships to the area, creating a tense atmosphere where any foreign journalist could be viewed with suspicion.

Foreshadowing: The tension escalates as Jay prepares to journey to the coastline to interview captured sailors.

  • cia
  • pirates
  • suspicion
  • captain phillips
  • warships
Q5

What happened when Jay returned to Canada?

When Jay returned to Toronto, he was overwhelmed by over 250 voicemail messages from network executives and book publicists eager to work with him. However, at the airport, he was immediately detained by Canada's CSIS (intelligence service) for questioning about what he had learned regarding the situation in Somalia.

Foreshadowing: Jay's funds had run out earlier, forcing him to ask his parents for money to return home.

  • canada
  • csis
  • detained
  • toronto
  • voicemail
Q6

How did Jay's book become successful?

Jay's book about Somali pirates, written based on his fieldwork and interviews, became successful enough that three years after his adventure, he was called to brief U.S. Intelligence on Somalia. This meeting demonstrates he transformed from a struggling aspiring writer in his parents' basement to a recognized expert and author on the subject.

Foreshadowing: The surprise party at the end celebrates his return, setting up his eventual success.

  • book
  • author
  • success
  • u.s. intelligence
  • career
Q7

What was Jay's relationship with Seymour Tolbin?

Seymour Tolbin was a famous writer whom Jay met by chance in a doctor's waiting room after injuring his back shoveling snow. Seymour became Jay's mentor, providing the inspiration and crucial connections that enabled his journey to Somalia. Their relationship continues throughout the film, with Seymour attending Jay's welcome-home party.

Foreshadowing: The doctor waiting room meeting is the catalyst for Jay's entire adventure.

  • seymour tolbin
  • mentor
  • writer
  • al pacino
  • inspiration
Q8

Why did Jay want to interview pirate prisoners?

Jay embarked on a dangerous journey to the Somali coastline to interview captives from a hijacked vessel. This was part of his journalistic investigation to understand the pirates' perspectives and the realities of their operations. However, the trip was cut short when the pirates moved their position, and tensions rose due to the Captain Phillips situation.

Foreshadowing: Earlier interviews with Boyah and other pirates set up this deeper investigation.

  • prisoners
  • coastline
  • hijacked vessel
  • interview
  • danger

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Pirates of Somalia, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Pirates of Somalia tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about Dangerous Journalism like The Pirates of Somalia

Chronicles of writers and reporters risking everything for a story in volatile territories. If you liked the risky, immersive journalism in The Pirates of Somalia, explore these movies. This collection features similar stories of writers and reporters on perilous assignments in war zones or hostile territories, offering a raw, grounded look at their transformative journeys.

  • tense
  • immersive
  • anxious
  • grounded
  • dangerous
  • transformative
  • Tone: tense, grounded, raw
  • Pacing: steady, immersive
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a protagonist, often an ambitious or naive outsider, who voluntarily enters a dangerous setting to document the truth. The story arc is one of personal growth and increasing risk, as the character builds relationships and gains insight, all while facing constant physical and moral threats that test their resolve.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared focus on the journalistic process within extreme situations. They create a cohesive experience through a tense, grounded tone, a steady pacing that builds immersion, and a central theme of cultural understanding earned through peril.

Grounded True Survival Stories like The Pirates of Somalia

Based-on-truth narratives where ordinary people navigate extraordinary and perilous circumstances. Fans of The Pirates of Somalia will appreciate these other movies based on incredible true stories of survival. These films share a similar tense, realistic atmosphere and follow protagonists who must outthink and outlast threats in lawless or hostile settings, focusing on resilience over action.

  • tense
  • based on true story
  • anxious
  • gritty
  • survival
  • dangerous
  • Tone: tense, realistic, anxious
  • Pacing: steady, linear
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically follow a linear, steady progression as a protagonist is thrust into a threatening situation beyond their control. The conflict is external and environmental, pitting the main character's wits and will against an overwhelming force, often leading to a hopeful but realistically earned conclusion.

Why they belong together: These movies are united by their foundation in true events, a tense and grounded mood, and a narrative centered on pragmatic survival rather than heroic action. The emotional weight comes from the authenticity of the peril and the protagonist's transformative journey.

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Every angle

The Pirates of Somalia (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Pirates of Somalia in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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