Blood In The Mobile

A documentary about a Danish journalist who decides to investigate the suggestion that Nokia's mobile Phones use a mineral only found in the Democratic Republic of Congo, one of the most war-torn countries in the world.

Having received no satisfaction from Nokia headquarters (unsurprisingly, given his sub-Michael Moore tactics), he rashly heads off to the DRC to see for himself. You have to admire the guy's dedication, and when he returns to Nokia (in Finland), he has a stronger case to make – though not much more hope of getting them to pay any attention.

Curiously, I came across the tail end of this story in a serial killer thriller by Jo Nesbo. The gist of it is that the stuff that is mined is so much in demand that militiamen and warlords can charge exorbitant extortion money to allow access to the mines, which in turns allows the war in that part of the world to continue. As so often, the dependency of consumers in the developed world has unforeseen consequences elsewhere which impact badly on other people.

Ideally the mobile phone companies would find either an alternative source for this material that they need, or else find another material. But judging by this film, they will do their best to fend off any bad publicity until it become so overwhelming that they can't cope. In the meantime, if guilt is your preferred emotional state, then here is a perfect opportunity for a double helping.

6/10

Phil Raby

Front Row Films

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