From Rockefeller's first oil wells in 1860 to the recent war in Iraq, oil has been the driving force behind the tragic history of the 20th century. As a vital and strategic raw material, it has been at the heart of all political calculations. So much so that the world of oil has always been dominated by opacity and misinformation. The film lifts the veil on carefully guarded secrets and provides keys to understanding the issues surrounding oil, at a time when a veritable war over resources is underway.