The Shadow World: Inside the Global Arms Trade reveals the shocking realities of the
global arms trade – the only business that counts its profits in billions and its losses in
human lives. Andrew Feinstein, arms industry corruption expert and the author of the book
on which the film is based, will be present to hold a discussion with the audience.
Andrew Feinstein has guided the production team on the contemporary issues and history
addressed in the film. He is the founding director of Shadow World Investigations which
undertakes path-breaking investigations into cases of grand corruption, corporate
malfeasance and militarism, predominantly but not exclusively in the global arms trade.
These case studies are used to highlight the blurred lines between business and state, and
to indicate the legal and political reforms that are needed to halt the corrosive impact of
criminal and institutional corruption. Andrew Feinstein is a former ANC Member of
Parliament from South Africa where he served under Nelson Mandela.
“I am very excited to be screening the Shadow World film in Estonia. The functioning of the
global arms trade, and its profound impact on our politics, is a crucial issue, especially now
with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine,” says the author of the film Andrew Feinstein.
The film features globally recognized bribery, corruption and fraud prosecutor Helen Garlick;
arms and military equipment dealer Riccardo Privitera who currently serves a 7-year jail
sentence in relation to an allegedly fraudulent military matériel deal between Portugal and
Poland; a former Pentagon Defense Analyst and the co-designer of F-16 fighter aircraft
Pierre Sprey; “The Poorer Nations” author Vijay Prashad; investigative journalist and “Dirty
Wars” author Jeremy Scahill; former Pentagon Military Analyst Franklin C. Spinney;
former British Minister for International Development Clare Short; the Director of the Centre
for International Security Studies at The University of Sydney James Der Derian and others.
The organizer of the event, Iti Teder, a master’s student in International Relations and
Regional Studies at the University of Tartu, adds that at a time when the world focuses on
war instead of peace, it is very important to raise awareness of this ruthless industry. “This
will be a great opportunity to get answers to your questions from a leading arms industry
corruption expert.”
The film screening and the discussion following the film will be held in English. The event will
take place on Thursday, May 25 at 19:00 at Genialists’ Club in Tartu, and on Friday, May
26 at 19:00 at Kino Artis in Tallinn. Tickets are on sale on the Kino Artis website and at the
Genialists’ Club before the screening. The ticket price is 5 euros.
