Black Gold

Black Gold, released in 2006, is an enlightening and compelling feature-length documentary that shines a light on the complex, often hidden world of the global coffee trade. The movie, directed by Marc Francis and Nick Francis, focuses on how the multi-billion-dollar industry is structured and how this structure impacts the farmers, who are at the very heart of coffee production. Tadesse Meskela, an Ethiopian coffee-union manager and the principal protagonist of the movie, serves as our guide through this journey.

The film opens up with a captivating scene in the lush, picturesque landscapes of southern Ethiopia, the homeland of coffee. It is a place of natural beauty, abundant with coffee trees, but also a scape of backbreaking toil. Tadesse Meskela is presented as a man with a mission, the manager of the Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union who represents thousands of Ethiopian farmers. Tadesse's quest is to secure a better life for these hardworking individuals and their families, caught in a painful predicament of grinding poverty despite labouring to produce one of the world's most wanted commodities.

As the film unravels, audiences are presented with a stark contrast to the raw reality of Ethiopian coffee farms. This reality unfolds through the bright, stylish cafes and barista championships of the developed world, primarily the United States and Europe. The disparity is made evident as the day-to-day struggle faced by the coffee producers starkly contrasts the lucrative coffee industry's glamorous facade. Meanwhile, the supply chain's complexities and power dynamics are broken down, giving audiences a deeper understanding of how the system works.

The film dives into these complexities, setting the stage for exposing the disparity between the high price that consumers in wealthier countries pay for their daily caffeine fix and the meagre earnings of Africa's coffee growers. Tadesse Meskela is portrayed navigating through these troubled waters, advocating for his farmers to the international players in the coffee world and fighting for a fairer price for the beloved beans.

Essentially, Black Gold presents a detailed exploration of the international coffee trade and its impact on society at both ends of the spectrum. It offers an illuminating perspective on the forces that drive the global economy, presenting the harsh realities faced by African coffee growers.

Not only does it document the intricate chain of coffee production, but it also traces Tadesse Meskela's journey across the globe. He travels seeking potential buyers who will pay a fair price for the coffee cultivated by the 70,000 farmers he represents, bringing a sense of hope for a better future.

As Black Gold unravels, viewers are gradually drawn into a colossal industry's inner workings, where trade rules, corporate manipulation, and the dire economic predicament of developing nations converge. This examination brings to light how the farmers are left at the mercy of a volatile market, fluctuating prices, and exploitation despite being the lifeblood of the industry.

Beyond uncovering the struggles and disparities, the movie also challenges the viewers to think about the sanctity of their daily cup of coffee. It prompts the audience to consider the origin story behind every sip, awakening a collective consciousness about fair trade, ethical consumption, and our personal role in the global economy as consumers.

Black Gold doesn't hesitate to delve into the political territory, showcasing the devastating ramifications of the World Bank's and IMF's neoliberal economic policies on developing countries. The film exhibits a globalized system, raising thoughtful questions about corporate responsibility, systemic exploitation, and international trade's economic inequality.

Apart from its profound discourse on the global coffee industry, the film is characterized by poignant cinematography, highlighting the breathtaking beauty of Ethiopia's landscape, juxtaposed with the grim reality of its impoverished native coffee farmers.

In Black Gold, the balance between delivering informative content and telling an emotionally resonant story is finely struck. The star of this docu-drama, Tadesse Meskela, emerges as a hero of the narrative, an individual fighting to make a difference in an immense, entrenched system of trade. The film successfully outlines the harsh realities behind our morning cup of coffee, leaving the viewer with a sense of deep understanding and likely, a resolution to make a difference in their own small way.