‘Blutspur Antwerpen’ Delves into Murder and Corruption in Diamond Trade
The ARD thriller uncovers ties between a Congolese activist's fight for justice, Antwerp's diamond industry, and Belgium's colonial past.
- The film begins with the murder of Congolese model Jean-Baptiste Kalemba in Antwerp, exposing a web of corruption in the global diamond trade.
- Detectives Louma Shapiro and Pierre Didier uncover that the real target may have been Kalemba's half-sister, Kisha, an activist fleeing Congo.
- Kisha's character highlights the personal risks faced by activists fighting systemic injustice in Congo and beyond.
- The film connects Antwerp's diamond industry to Belgium's colonial exploitation of Congo, exploring themes of greed and historical injustice.
- Currently airing on ARD and its streaming platform, the film portrays Antwerp as a city of contrasts, blending wealth and crime.