Darwin's Nightmare (ATOM study guide)

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