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Big Men

Name: Big Men
Director: Rachel Boynton
Released: 2014
Duration: 99 min

Representation Score

6.0/10

Fair

2014

Not Rated

Director

Rachel Boynton

Runtime

99 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Big Men succeeds as a critical examination of systemic inequality and global power dynamics. By centering the investigation on the Niger River Delta and Ghana, the film shifts the perspective away from traditional Western-centric narratives toward the geopolitical realities of the Global South. However, the film's focus on the 'Big Men' of industry and politics results in a narrative that skews heavily toward masculine power centers. This creates a lack of visible women playing a significant role in driving the story and leaves other social identities, such as LGBTQ+ individuals or people with disabilities, largely unrepresented. Ultimately, the documentary's value lies in its deconstruction of Western corporate hegemony. It effectively highlights the human cost and systemic instability inherent in globalized resource extraction.

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Category Breakdown

Does Big Men have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The documentary focuses on macro-economic corruption and industrialism. There are no visible LGBTQ+ character arcs or narratives addressing assumptions that everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does Big Men portray gender?

Fair

The film centers on masculine archetypes of industry and politics. While it examines the personal tolls of greed, it lacks specific evidence of women playing a significant role in driving the story.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Big Men?

Excellent

The narrative places African ability to act at the heart of the investigation. By focusing on Ghana and the Niger River Delta, it disrupts a Western-centric gaze.

How does Big Men represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film critiques Western institutional influence and capitalist pursuits. It explores how these forces interact with and destabilize local structures and the lasting effects of historical colonization.

Does Big Men include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no discernible evidence regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in this work.

Present on Screen

Strong focus on African ability to act and local perspectives in the Niger River Delta and Ghana.
Effective critique of Western corporate hegemony and its impact on global power dynamics.
Challenges traditional narratives of industrial progress by highlighting the systemic instability of resource extraction.

Limited or Absent

Lack of representation for LGBTQ+ identities and narratives.
Narrative focus on masculine archetypes limits the visibility of women playing a significant role in driving the story.
Absence of representation regarding physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

For her latest industrial exposé, Rachel Boynton (Our Brand Is Crisis) gained unprecedented access to Africa's oil companies. The result is a gripping account of the costly personal tolls levied when American corporate interests pursue oil in places like Ghana and the Niger River Delta. Executive produced by Steven Shainberg and Brad Pitt, Big Men investigates the caustic blend of ambition, corruption and greed that threatens to exacerbate Africa’s resource curse.

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