Movie: Blood Diamond
Year: 2006
Actors:Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, Jennifer Connelly
Genre: Action/Drama
Rating: 7.5/10
Quote: "Who do you think buys the stones I bring out, dreamy American girls who want a story book wedding and a big shiny rock. It's like the ones they see in the advertisements in your politically correct magazines, so please, don't come here and make judgements on me, alright. I provide a service, the world wants what we have, and they want it cheap. We're in business together, get over yourself, darling." (Danny Archer)
I had carefully avoided choosing this movie from the library as I was not sure I could handle the intensity and violence that comes with stories about war torn Africa. My husband finally managed to convince me to try it out.
The main character, Danny Archer (Leonardo Dicaprio) is a diamond smuggler who must decide to use a complete stranger for his own gain or assist the man (Djimon Hounsou) in finding his family after the RUF tears his family apart and force him to work in the diamond mines.
I found the movie difficult to watch as the director did not try to soften the atrocities that took place during the civil war in Sierra Leone. I often feel guilty as I watch movies that depict very sad parts of recent human history. Here I am in my North American living room eating chips while watching child soldiers shoot innocent women and children.
However, the movie did not just depict violent act after violent act, it also challenged the viewer ethically. Do we carry on with our lives in order to make a living or do we try to stop the corruption that is so rampant in many parts of the world? When we see a beautiful diamond in a glass case we often don't think about the illegal diamond mines in Africa. Blood Diamond challenged the viewer to be more aware of the current events that are occurring in the world. We are the consumers and we often dictate what happens in many impoverished part of the world.
The Kimberley process, established in 2003 "is a joint government, industry and civil society initiative to stem the flow of conflict diamonds – rough diamonds used by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate governments."(1) This has discouraged the illegal purchase of conflict diamonds but they still manage to trickle through to the diamond industry. As a consumer we can make a difference by choosing to purchase diamonds from countries that offer sustainable working conditions for the employers that work in the diamond mines.
Blood Diamond is an excellent movie to watch if you are willing to be challenged as well as inspired by what a few people can do in order to promote peace and justice. I have posted a link of a company that promotes conflict free diamonds http://www.brilliantearth.com
Quotes
1. http://www.kimberleyprocess.com
The Kimberley process, established in 2003 "is a joint government, industry and civil society initiative to stem the flow of conflict diamonds – rough diamonds used by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate governments."(1) This has discouraged the illegal purchase of conflict diamonds but they still manage to trickle through to the diamond industry. As a consumer we can make a difference by choosing to purchase diamonds from countries that offer sustainable working conditions for the employers that work in the diamond mines.
Blood Diamond is an excellent movie to watch if you are willing to be challenged as well as inspired by what a few people can do in order to promote peace and justice. I have posted a link of a company that promotes conflict free diamonds http://www.brilliantearth.com
Quotes
1. http://www.kimberleyprocess.com
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