The province of Katanga in the south east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has huge mineral riches including uranium, zinc, copper and cobalt.

These were exploited in colonial times by the Union Minière du Haut Katanga, which was nationalized in 1966 by President Mobutu Sese Seko.

The film explores the murky dealings between the state-owned Gécamines, foreign mining companies such as First Quantum Minerals and individuals like George Forrest, Indian and Chinese investors and state officials.

[6] Michel's Congolese assistant director Guy Kabeya Muya received death threats for having worked on the film.

The filmmaker Monique Mbeka Phoba quickly mobilized an international campaign to ensure that the Congolese authorities extended their protection.