The shores of Lake Victoria, the world's largest tropical lake and often considered the cradle of humanity, are today the backdrop to a drama brought about by globalization. In the 1960s, the Nile perch, a fearsome predator, was introduced into the lake as part of a scientific experiment. Although the introduction led to the extinction of many native fish species, it paradoxically gave rise to a flourishing industry. The flesh of this fish has become a prized export product in the northern hemisphere. Many people are involved in this tragedy, which extends beyond Tanzania's borders. While cargo ships from the former USSR transport the fish north on a daily basis, they return laden with an entirely different trade: arms, fuelling a destructive cycle.
Produced by Coop9 (Austria), Saga Film (Belgium) and Mille et une Productions (France). With the support of the Centre National de la Cinématographie, Filmfonds Vienna, the Centre du Cinéma et de l'Audiovisuel de la Communauté Française de Belgique and Walloon television distributors. In association with Arte, WDR, Yle TV2 Documentaires and Sveriges Television SVT.
Directed by Hubert Sauper
Cast: Elizabeth Maganga Nsese, Raphael Tukiko Wagara, Dimond Remtulia, Marcus Nyoni, Sergey Samarets, Jonathan Nathanael, Msafiri Habat, Dima Rogonov, Vladimir Tarasenko
Screenplay: Hubert Sauper
Producer(s): Edouard Mauriat, Martin Gschlacht, Barbara Albert, Antonin Svoboda, Hubert Toint, Edouard Mauriat, Anne-Cécile Berthomeau
Production manager(s) : Farès Ladjimi
Live sound: Cosmas Antonniadis, Sandor Rieder
VFX: Oliver Neumann
Image editing: Denise Vindevogel
Sound editing: Veronika Hlavatsch
Sound mixing: Eckart Goebel, Alexander Koller
Color: Kurt Hennrich
Venice International Film Festival, Venice Days, 2004 : Europa Cinemas Label Jury Award
Montréal New Cinéma, 2004: NFB Documentary Award
Viennale, 2004: Vienna Film Prize
Copenhagen Dox, 2004: Best Film Award
European Film Awards, 2004: Best Documentary
Belfort, 2005: Audience Award
Angers Premiers Plans, 2005: Grand Prix du Jury
Paris Festival de l'environnement, 2005: Grand Prize
Mexico Cine Contemporain, 2005: Grand Prize for Best Documentary
Fribourg IFF, 2005: Documentary Award
Chicago Doc Festival, 2005: Best Film Award
Thessaloniki Doc FF, 2005: Audience Award
Oslo Eurodoc, 2005, Norway: Distribution Award
Docaviv in Israel, 2005: Best Film
Sydney IFF, 2005: Fipresci Award
Washington Silverdocs, 2005: Sterling Award for Best Film
Yamagata Documentary FF, 2005 : Community Cinema Award and Jury's Prize
Jihlava Documentary Film Festival, Czech Republic: Special Jury Prize
César, 2006 : Best First Film
Toronto International Film Festival, 2004
San Sebastian International Film Festival, 2004
London International Film Festival, 2004
Hofer Filmtage, 2004
Sheffield Documentary Film Festival, 2004
IDFA Amsterdam, 2004
Oslo International Film Festival, 2004
Havana Film Festival in New-York, 2004
Gothenburg Film Festival, 2005
Helsinki Doc Film Festival, 2005
Amsterdam Amnesty IFF, 2005
Ljubljana Doc FF, 2005
Sheffield Tour in UK, 2005
Vilnius IFF, 2005
New York New Directors New Films, 2005
European Film Showcase, 2005, South Africa
Buenos Aires BAFICI, 2005
Istanbul IFF, 2005
Jeonju IFF, 2005
Warsaw Doc Review, 2005
Alba Regia Hungary, 2005
San Francisco Green Day, 2005
BAM Cinematek, 2005
Berkeley University, 2005
Karlovy Vary IFF, 2005
New Zealand IFF, 2005
Melbourne IFF, 200
Warsaw Era New Horizons, 2005
Zagreb Motovun, 2005
Sarajevo FF, 2005
Cape Town Tri Continental FF, 2005
Rio de Janeiro IFF, 2005
Reykjavik IFF, 2005
Oslo Films from the South, 2005
Seoul European FF, 2005
Bergen IFF, 2005
Tallinn Black Nights, 2005
