“I’m always drawn to how ordinary people are left to pick up the pieces from high-level game playing”: Ben Anthony on Hijacked – Flight 73

Hijacked: Flight 73 is the new Sky documentary from BAFTA-winning director Ben Anthony (Grenfell, 7/7: One Day in London), which tells the story of the hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 on 5^th September 1986. Set against the backdrop of the geopolitics of the time, the film explores the visceral experiences of those on board and how the political climate influenced the events that unfolded. 

The Upcoming heard from Anthony about the challenges of making a documentary about a 35-year-old event, including ensuring that various accounts of the hijacking align, dealing with a lack of news archive footage and sensitively approaching contributors. The director also shared his admiration for the bravery and resilience of the film’s subjects, stating that the opportunity to meet these extraordinary individuals was the highlight of the process. Additionally, Anthony touched on his interest in telling stories about ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances, and how these stories can inspire others. Finally, he briefly mentioned his upcoming project, a film about the UK miners’ strike of 1984-85.

Sarah Bradbury

Hijacked: Flight 73 is released on Sky on 29^th April 2023.