| Director | Rachel Boynton |
|---|
The documentary "Big Men," directed by Rachel Boynton examines the oil industry in the African nations of Ghana and Nigeria. The film explores the tensions around newly discovered oil wealth, foreign investment, corruption, and the struggle between national interest and corporate profit. The film explores the tensions around newly discovered oil wealth, foreign investment, corruption, and the struggle between national interest and corporate profit. The film follows the story of the American oil company Kosmos Energy as it discovers a large offshore oil field in Ghana and endeavors to develop it.
The film begins by introducing the key players, including Kosmos Energy executives and Ghanaian political leaders. It then delves into the technical and logistical challenges of oil exploration and extraction in the region. As the oil development progresses, the film also explores the impact on local Ghanaian communities and the broader political landscape.
Alongside the story in Ghana, the documentary also examines the oil industry in neighboring Nigeria, focusing on the activities of the militant group MEND (the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta) and its efforts to disrupt the oil operations and challenge the government's control over the region's resources.
Through these parallel narratives, the film offers insights into the complex and often contentious relationship between multinational oil companies, local communities, and national governments in resource-rich African nations. It also raises questions about the distribution of wealth and power, as well as the potential for conflict and corruption within the oil industry in these contexts.