A detailed investigation into the political and economic interests that, since the beginning of the 20th century, have pulled the strings of the arms trade, hidden in the shadows, feeding the shameful corruption of politicians and government officials and promoting a state of permanent war throughout the world, while they cynically asked for a lasting and universal peace.
Direction
Grimonprez weaponizes archival footage like a prosecutor
Writing
Feinstein's insider testimony hits like a gut punch
Editing
Chilling juxtaposition of politicians' lies vs. leaked documents
Director
Johan Grimonprez
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Andrew Feinstein, the film's central expert, was an ANC MP who resigned in disgust over South Africa's own arms deal corruption.
The film's title references both the shadow economy and the Shadow World of intelligence—Grimonprez intentionally blurs arms dealers and elected officials as equally shadowy operators.
DK
GB
