ABSTRACT
The period after World War II was one of flux and change, during which many countries became independent of colonial rule. This chapter examines the use of locally made films by Unilever and Shell in relation to one of these new independent countries – Nigeria. It will highlight how these international companies began using film in Nigeria as a strategic medium, trying to create a bond between the companies and the films’ viewers – especially through sound – and showing that British and Dutch companies were actively involved in the decolonization process. This chapter also underlines the significance of the international processes and dynamics of industrial film, which not only serve as advertisement for products, processes or company images, but are also shot through with, and transmit, important technical, political, cultural and social discourses.
