Big Men

Big Men is a captivating and enlightening documentary film directed by Rachel Boynton that was first released in 2013. With an impressive amount of depth and contextual clarity, it insightfully explores the global implications of oil discovery, capitalism, and the politics of oil-rich nations. Big Men is the follow up to Boynton’s first impressive film, ‘Our Brand Is Crisis’.

Big Men opens up a worldly perspective on the intricacies of the oil industry, cleverly breaking down complex and often mystifying concepts to a general audience. It follows the narrative of a small group of American explorers at Dallas-based oil company Kosmos Energy. This team of determined adventurers discovers and develops the first commercial oil field in the history of Ghana, the precious 'black gold' that could potentially lead them into a domain of multi-billion-dollar wealth.

However, the film is far from just a theoretical analysis of greed and global politics. Rachel Boynton, the director, humanizes the story by having unfettered access to the main players in the drama -all 'Big Men' in their respective worlds.

The conversations and perspectives of the American businessmen, Nigerian militants in the Niger Delta where oil flows, and government representatives in Ghana, paint a comprehensive picture. These narrative angles allow viewers to see the ethical and economic dilemma from multiple standpoints within the larger context. Meanwhile, the involvement of local communities who live atop these oil reserves, shaped by their dreams, fears, and the direct impacts of foreign interest on their lives, adds a raw human element that further enriches the narrative.

One of the critical themes in Big Men is the age-old question of capitalism. The film explores this theme by contrasting Western and African perspectives on power, wealth, and the ethical dilemmas that these issues inevitably produce. The Kosmos executives’ approach to business and their justification for their share of the potential wealth provides a thoughtful examination of capitalist motivation and method.

Ghana's perceived threat of falling into the 'resource curse' seen in many African countries after oil discovery and extraction is another thought-provoking topic deeply explored in Big Men. The 'resource curse' is a paradoxical phenomenon where nations rich in minerals and natural resources often fail to achieve growth and tend to suffer from various socio-economic and developmental problems.

Parallel to the narration of the American explorers and Ghanaian government, the story also shows an insight into what is happening in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta region. At this location, local militants adopt dangerous methods for claiming what they believe as rightfully theirs from the oil companies. It highlights not only the socio-economic impacts of oil discovery but also the consequences of its mismanagement.

Throughout this entire journey, the director doesn't shy away from showing the ethical differences and conflicts of interest among the various parties. It displays a raw power play, the hopeful yet cautious optimism of oil discovery, and the grim realities that often accompany such high stake journeys.

The filming and cinematography of Big Men are nothing short of a feat. Compiling a deeply enriched story, the visuals are complementary in highlighting the beautiful landscapes and intense human drama, thus, making the narrative compelling.

In essence, Big Men is an exploration of the dynamics of capitalism, globalization, and the ethical dilemmas it brings. It delves deep into the high-stakes world of ‘big oil', humanizing the story through the experiences and perspectives of the people it directly impacts. The thorough research, fabulous storytelling, and deft execution make Big Men a must-watch. Through its vivid narration and thought-provoking themes, it offers a unique window into the global business of oil, the politics of the developing world, and the men who decide the fate of the world's resources.