Darwin's Nightmare

Darwin’s Nightmare is a film about the fish trade in Tanzania. The documentary explores the way in which this business has affected individuals in Africa, and ultimately how it has violated various human rights. When the Nile Perch was introduced into Lake Victoria, it rapidly became commodity and because the fish was popular in Europe, Africa immediately became the main hub for trading. But, the trade quickly transformed into a corrupt business, stripping many of their inherent rights.

The film portrays Tanzania as a completely impoverished place; the streets are bare and children lay asleep on the sidewalks. The camera captures a little boy as he sobs in the darkness, a scene that inflicts pain and devastation. The audience is soon introduced to a prostitute, a woman who commonly sleeps with fisherman for just ten dollars a night. A Russian cargo pilot, whose job is to transport the Nile Perch to Europe, pulls the woman forcefully next to him. She begins to sing “Tanzania Tanzania,” and appears seemingly drunk or drugged. It is clear from the start that the woman is an object, and sadly enough, has committed to the role. Later in the film, she is interviewed and questioned about her life. She explains that her mother died, and seems bashful about her English, which she describes as not that good. She then explains that she would like to go to school, and learn about computer programming. We immediately feel immense sympathy and pain for her, because it is clear that she was forced into an unfair and inhumane way of life. Her situation goes completely against human rights, and presents an issue separate from the main message of Darwin’s Nightmare. Prostitution is a universal problem that completely defies any regard for human rights or women’s rights, in general. Yet, the men involved in the fish business continue to pay for her, and submit to the unjust nature of prostitution.

Next, the audience is introduced to a man who works as a guard at one of the fish factories. His job requires him to stand in front of the factory for the duration of the night, protecting the fish. He explains that the man before him was murdered while watching the factory, but still continues to work there. And although he is putting himself in extreme danger, he receives a shocking, miniscule amount of one dollar for his work. He explains that money is extremely hard to come by, and that life is tough. But one dollar is outrageous, and leads the audience to question how and why that type of treatment is possible. The film also shows a fish factory, where workers spend all day gutting and preparing fish for filet. Although I am not sure, it is probably likely they receive minimum pay. The film continues to show the extreme poverty and disease that has developed throughout Tanzania. A man describes that multiple prostitutes who have contracted HIV often give it to the fisherman, and the audience is introduced to a painfully frail woman, who has the disease as well. The sight is emotionally scarring, and presents the unfairness of humanity.