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August 14-20: Sweet Crude screens at IDA DocuWeek NY

See Sweet Crude in New York! Screening twice a day at the IFC Center as part of IDA DocuWeek New York.

Schedule and tickets: http://docuweeksny.bside.com/2009/films/sweetcrude_docuweeksny2009

In the summer of 2008, militants from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) declared an “oil war” in Nigeria. This was one of the biggest spikes yet on a radar screen dotted with conflict and tragedy.

Sweet Crude is the story of the Niger Delta; of the villagers of Oporoza, headquarters of the insurgency; and of members of the armed resistance who, in the three years since the filmmmakers met them as college students, became the young men of MEND.

The Niger Delta is a powder keg. Escalating unrest and kidnappings by militants have shut down as much as 20% of oil production in the region. The Nigerian government continues to make and break a long string of promises to resolve the crisis. The international community is standing by while impending war looms.

Meanwhile, the people of the Delta are suffering as they have for half a century. Billions of dollars of crude oil are pumped out from beneath their feet, while they live in desperate poverty – without means of livelihood in a decimated environment. Oil spills, dredging and acid rain from gas flaring have destroyed habitats, killed the fish population, fouled the soil and poisoned the villagers. Their villages lack potable water, sanitation, infrastructure, healthcare and schools. Job prospects are bleak and people die young.

There is a long legacy of nonviolent protest in the Delta. But it has consistently been met by the Nigerian government with violence – not only against those who spoke out but against whole villages. By 2005, the people had had enough. A new armed resistance, MEND, emerged. They began kidnapping oil workers to bring international attention to the crisis. In the years since, the region has become increasingly unstable. Yet they have repeatedly stated their desire to negotiate. In this moment, there is an opportunity to tip the scales toward peace.

Sweet Crude is about the humanitarian, environmental and economic devastation in the wake of 50 years of oil extraction – and the opportunity for the international community to do something. The film also raises broader issues of oil politics, mass media agendas and the role of independent journalists in getting the truth out.

What if the world paid attention before it was too late?

Starts	August 14 2009
Ends / Deadline	August 20 2009
Homepage	http://www.sweetcrudemovie.com
Contact	info@sweetcrudemovie.com
Issues	Economic Justice, Economic Development, Poverty, Environment, Corporate Violations to the Environment, Environmental Justice, Pollution, Family & Society, Gender/Women, Violence against women, Human Rights, International, Africa, U.S./Foreign Relations, Media, Censorship, Politics/Government, Peace/War, Racial Justice, Indigenous Peoples