Everyone knows about issues like fair-trade coffee and blood diamonds, according to UW filmmaker Dan Banda, but very few people have heard about conflict minerals. His documentary, "A Road from Lubumbashi," seeks to change this.
Banda has won awards for his previous documentaries on Mexican immigration to the United States, his PBS series "After the Immigrant" being the most notable. Working in conjunction with the UW-Madison African Studies department, Banda filmed for one year during the Congo's 50th anniversary celebration.
The minerals discussed in the film are from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Banda first got interested in the Congo when he did a presentation on social justice documentaries as an undergraduate. The professor asked him about the Congo, and he knew nothing about the issues surrounding the country. Banda looked up more information upon his professor's recommendation.
"I became very curious as to why the story wasn't resonating when it was so important," he said.
Lubumbashi is a city in the Congo. "It was founded by Europeans and used as a launching pad for their domination and taking over of natural resources," said Banda. Europeans historically were trading in humans, rubber and ivory. The focus has switched to the mining of minerals.
These minerals, mainly coltan and cobalt, are used in technological devices. Called "conflict minerals," they are traded illegally, leading to war and bloodshed over the control of areas rich in resources. The profits from their sale often ends up financing the conflicts, as well. Banda is working to increase awareness of the problems in the Congo and foster discussion.
"There was a law being voted on to end our use of conflict materials," Banda explained. "But nobody ever brings it up. Nobody knows about the situation." The legislation did not pass.
Most important to Banda is making others aware of what is happening in the Congo. He advises people to ask if the device contains conflict minerals when they buy a new piece of technology. They can also look it up themselves, using an organization's website, such as the Enough Project. This particular project is taking action to address human rights crimes in Sudan, Congo, and areas of Africa impacted by the Lord's Resistance Army.
Students can become involved in UW-Madison's WISPIRG, which is seeking to bring awareness to the issue, foster discussion and influence lawmakers. "The best scholars on the Congo are working at the University of Wisconsin - Madison," according to Banda.
"A Road from Lubumbashi" is premiering at the Marquee at Union South tonight at 7 p.m. Dan Banda will be giving an introduction and leading a discussion after the film.
