A few years ago I ran into a website belonging a woman making a documentary film about the happenings in the Niger Delta. Ever since, I followed the site closely. Some time ago, I ran into the woman's name at Nigeriaworld.com. Then, She was one of five American filmakers and cameramen arrested by the Nigerian Army (JTF) and SSS for espionage and held for several days. Well, after the intervention of the American government, they were all finally released. Not so long after, they put up a fund on their new movie website asking for donations to help complete the movie. It appears they had far exceeded their budget due to the unforeseen circumstances that took place in Nigerian, in addition to having some of their master copies "seized" by the Nigerian government. Anyway, the film is out. It premiered on the 4th of April 2009 at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in Durham, NC. The Woman's name is Sandy Cioffi. I haven't had a chance to see the full film yet although I'd seen clips from the film as far back as two years ago.

         Unforunately, I realized something. Despite all these people have been through while making this movie and all publicity generated from their arrest in Nigeria, it appears very few people have heard about or are paying attention to it. I began to wonder. Is it because it deals with corruption? Is it because it deals with the World's Largest Oil companies? Or is it just because it tells the story of people suffering in Africa, and that world is tired of hearing such? Anyway, forgive my ramblings. I just felt the need to draw attention to the movie.


The Name of the Movie is "SWEET CRUDE." -  www.sweetcrudemovie.com


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SWEET CRUDE: A FILM ABOUT THE NIGER DELTA

In a small corner of the most populous country in Africa, billions of dollars of crude oil flow under the feet of a desperate people. Immense wealth and abject poverty stand in stark contrast. The environment is decimated. The issues are complex, the answers elusive.

The documentary film Sweet Crude tells the story of Nigeria’s Niger Delta. The region is seething and the global stakes are high. But in this moment, there’s an opportunity to find solutions. What if the world paid attention before it was too late?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Here is the movie trailer.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyAezn3yt5Y

[flash=425,345]http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/VyAezn3yt5Y[/flash]

Here is a two part interview by Democracy Now with the Film Director (Sany Cioffi) after her release from custody in Nigeria.
Part 1 of 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piGkERnZh8Y

[flash=425,345]http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/piGkERnZh8Y[/flash]

Part 2 of 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uOwQMbq5kc&

[flash=425,345]http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/4uOwQMbq5kc[/flash]


I'll add more links later.