Uranium Graves is a hard-hitting investigative documentary that uncovers the enduring impact of French colonialism in Niger, a nation rich in uranium but burdened by poverty, disease, and environmental degradation. The film traces how France, under the guise of development, gained full control of Niger’s uranium reserves during colonial rule—and maintained that grip long after independence through exploitative agreements and powerful multinational corporations like Orano. Journeying deep into the mining town of Arlit, the film captures raw, personal accounts from former workers and residents suffering from radiation exposure and toxic living conditions. It juxtaposes the harsh realities in Niger with the prosperity in France—powered in part by the same uranium extracted from Nigerien soil. Backed by exclusive documents, archival footage, and expert analysis, Uranium Graves investigates the complicity of political and corporate systems in perpetuating environmental injustice. It is not just a story of resource extraction—it is a sobering reflection on the cost of modern energy consumption and a call for global accountability. At its heart, the film amplifies the voices of the silenced, demanding justice, transparency, and the return of sovereignty to a people whose wealth has long powered others’ comfort.

by Samet TUNA