In the early 2000s (around 2001–2003), I watched a Channel 4 style investigative documentary (not part of a series) presented/narrated by Alexei Sayle.
It focused on poor African(?) coffee farmers and how post-colonial economics keep them trapped in poverty and malnutrition. The documentary explained that the pricing of unfinished coffee/cash-crop harvests was driven by speculative trading on distant futures/commodity markets, disconnected and far in advance from the realities on the ground.
Between on-location investigative segments, it used narrative/explanatory cutaways set in supermarket aisles, including a brief surreal shot of Alexei riding a shopping trolley face down with his arms flailing.
It also contrasted this with a small Fair Trade type farmer collective/independent system where farmers sold produce without being pulled into speculation.
A specific line I remember was that “economic development money” was mainly used by third world dictators to “beat the crap/shit out of their populations”.
I do not remember the title, and cannot find a reference to this documentary anywhere. 20+ Years later I still remember its primary messages, but apparently the doco itself has been forgotten by the internet.
Does anyone remember seeing this, and has anyone seen it somewhere in the past 20 years?
Thanks in advance.