Edward Said describes Orientalism as “the manufacture of the other” mainly done for purposes of domination. He locates orientalism within the history of military and ideological imperialism . It is an attempt to acquire information in a way that is neither innocent nor objective, but driven by special interests (such as the control of resources like oil.)

The wanton, irresponsible actions of oil companies, governments and media regarding the Niger Delta, are classic examples of domination for purposes of exploitation. Although the communities of the Niger Delta are not located in “the Orient,” Said’s theories still apply.

Wherever people are fetishisized and considered less than human, marginalization, rape and theft are easily carried out.

At the Delta of Niger River in Nigeria, where a vast proportion of planet’s oil is excavated, bomb attacks, abductions and murders form part of daily routine.

The documentary portrays the image of “development”, the way giant multinational petroleum companies would define it. Petroleum leaks in the River destroy flora and fauna, poison the food chain and consequently wipe out the 27 million indigenous people of the area - the Ijaws, the Ogoni and the Itsekiris. The inhabitants dare to ask the self-evident, they demand an end to it. As a response they are massively and brutally attacked by special forces of the army and the police, which are armed by the oil companies. The camera meets at the river militia of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta-MEND- and presents to the world for the first time shattering images of their speed boat patrols and of their heavy weaponry.
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