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Deep Dive: Big Men (2014)

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Big Men
Big Men is a documentary directed by Rachel Boynton that examines the oil industry in Ghana and Nigeria. It follows Texas-based Kosmos Energy as it seeks to develop the Jubilee Field off the coast of Ghana, navigating the complexities of foreign investment and local politics. The film presents key players, including Kosmos executives and Ghanaian leaders, while addressing the logistical issues of oil extraction and its impact on local communities. The narrative also includes the oil-rich Niger Delta in Nigeria, where the militant group MEND disrupts oil operations in response to decades of corruption and underdevelopment. By juxtaposing the experiences in Ghana and Nigeria, the film provides insights into the relationship between multinational corporations, local populations, and national governments in resource-rich regions, raising questions about wealth distribution and the potential for conflict.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Kosmos Energy executives in Ghana's oil boom.
  • •Follow the militant group MEND in Nigeria's Niger Delta.
  • •See the impact of oil wealth on local communities.

Did You Know

•Big Men premiered at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival.
•The film was shot between 2007 and 2011 in Ghana and Nigeria.
•Kosmos Energy discovered a large offshore oil field in Ghana.
•Big Men received a 90/100 on Metacritic and a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Perfect For

Oil industry enthusiastsPolitical corruption studiesAfrican economic development