The Grab 2024

As the cinematic lens captures the relentless pursuit of truth by the team at The Center for Investigative Reporting, viewers are drawn into a gripping narrative where global power struggles over essential resources—namely food and water—take center stage. This unsettling story unveils how nation-states, plagued by the dire consequences of climate change, resort to tactics like coercion, economic maneuvering, and the employment of illicit mercenaries in a desperate bid to gain dominance over these crucial assets.

The tale begins with a watershed moment in 2014 when the Chinese conglomerate WH Group took over the U.S.-based Smithfield Foods, effectively controlling a staggering quarter of the American hog population. This event acts as a catalyst, leading to a series of mysterious transactions: from the Saudi Arabian acquisition of parched land in Arizona, to Russian ranchers enlisting American cowboys to cultivate the frigid wilderness, and even Blackwater’s covert operations aimed at seizing African territories.

As the filmmakers delve deeper into these seemingly unrelated commercial activities, the admonition of “following the money” resonates powerfully, illustrating a complex nexus where governments, corporations, and military forces intertwine. The tireless investigative work reveals an alarming conspiracy that weaves together elements of economic exploitation, military aggression, and environmental crisis.

Visually captivating, the film employs a striking mix of archival footage and collage-style imagery that enhances the investigative narrative. Yet, it also captures the grit of guerrilla filmmaking. The crew faces off against challenges, including intense moments of confrontation, such as when they find themselves denied entry and detained at an airport in Zambia.

Ultimately, this film serves as a stark critique of the global actions—or lack thereof—concerning climate change. It posits that what appear to be isolated incidents are, in fact, synchronized reactions to the looming specter of environmental collapse.