Darwin’s Nightmare (Hubert Sauper, 2005)
is a film suitable for senior secondary and tertiary students, that tells the
story of the environmental, economic and social consequences of the release of
the giant Nile Perch into Lake Victoria in Africa the 1960s. The filmmaker
examines the impacts of the increased trade of fish and increased contact with
the outside world.
While on the surface, the film is about the impact of
the release of Nile Perch into the waters of Lake Victoria, it addresses many
more issues that are affecting the African continent today. These include:
•
The economic, environmental and social impacts of introduced species.
•
Impact of HIV/AIDS on the African population
• The International Arms Trade
and the countries involved
• Globalization of world trade and its impacts on
people and economies
• Contrasts in living conditions between developed and
developing countries.
Curriculum Links:
The film and study guide is
suitable for use in senior secondary and tertiary classes in:
•
Geography
• Economics
• Religious Education (ethics)
• Biology
•
Media Studies
• English