Gravesend
Synopsis
Gravesend uses a documentary approach to focus on the mining of coltan, employed in the manufacture of cell phones, laptops and other high-tech apparatus. The film cuts between two sites: a technological, highly automated industrial plant in the West where the precious metal is processed for the final production of microelectronic parts, and the central Congo, where miners use simple shovels or their bare hands to extract, wash and collect the ore on leaves. IThe realism of the film images is intercut with a black-and-white animation of the Congo River. Its sinuous shape conjures associations with networking and the flow of communications, underscored by a murmuring resembling thousands of voices in the cell phone network. In the meantime, coltan, traded at an extremely high price, represents one of the key financial factors in the armed conflict of the militia in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where decades of civil war have cost several million human lives.
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Steve McQueen
- Original Title
- Gravesend
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 18m
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Steve McQueen
Department Leadership Roster
Steve McQueen
Director
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Gravesend.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Gravesend.
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Promote Black Filmmakers®™ Playlist
Contemplative Cinema - slow's additions
Imported from MUBI list: https://mubi.com/en/lists/contemplative-cinema-a-few-more-additions-to-the-collection
Contemplative Cinema - slow's additions
Imported from MUBI list: https://mubi.com/en/lists/contemplative-cinema-a-few-more-additions-to-the-collection
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Frequently Asked Questions About Gravesend
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Gravesend about?
Gravesend uses a documentary approach to focus on the mining of coltan, employed in the manufacture of cell phones, laptops and other high-tech apparatus. The film cuts between two sites: a technological, highly automated industrial plant in the West where the precious metal is processed for the final production of microelectronic parts, and the central Congo, where miners use simple shovels or their bare hands to extract, wash and collect the ore on leaves. IThe realism of the film images is intercut with a black-and-white animation of the Congo River. Its sinuous shape conjures associations with networking and the flow of communications, underscored by a murmuring resembling thousands of voices in the cell phone network. In the meantime, coltan, traded at an extremely high price, represents one of the key financial factors in the armed conflict of the militia in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where decades of civil war have cost several million human lives.
Who directed Gravesend?
Gravesend was directed by Steve McQueen.
Who stars in Gravesend?
The principal cast of Gravesend includes Not specified.
When was Gravesend released and how long is it?
Gravesend was released in 2007 with a total runtime of 18m.