Rescue opens with a harrowing abduction in the waters of the Mediterranean close to the Libyan coast. Director Sine Plambech and her film crew are accompanying the Geo Barents, a rescue ship operated by Doctors Without Borders that’s trying to save a rubber boat packed with migrants in distress. Suddenly, a third vessel approaches, piloted by Libyan militia members. During a frantic scramble in the open water, some migrants are snatched by the militias, while others reach the Geo Barents. One of the rescued migrants, Hani, tells the film crew he has just been separated from his family. His wife Roro, his young son, and their two-month old daughter have been kidnapped by the militia.
That’s the start of an epic journey that Plambech continues to film over several months. The militias hold captives for ransom, while the European Union quietly funnels billions of euros to North African countries to halt migration. Normally, these tragedies take place beyond the reach of cameras. But in this case, Roro has managed to hide a cell phone in her baby’s diaper and is able to share what’s happening to her with Hani, who never gives up believing they can be reunited.