PLOTLINE
Set against the backdrop of the chaos and civil war that enveloped 1990s Sierra Leone, "Blood Diamond" is the story of Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio), an ex-mercenary from Zimbabwe, and Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou), a Mende fisherman.
Both men are African, but their histories and their circumstances are as different as any can be until their fates become joined in a common quest to recover a rare pink diamond, the kind of stone that can transform a life...or end it. Solomon, who has been taken from his family and forced to work in the diamond fields, finds the extraordinary gem and hides it at great risk, knowing if he is discovered, he will be killed instantly. But he also knows the diamond could not only provide the means to save his wife and daughters from a life as refugees but also help rescue his son, Dia, from an even worse fate as a child soldier.
Archer, who has made his living trading diamonds for arms, learns of Solomon's hidden stone while in prison for smuggling. He knows a diamond like this is a once-in-a-lifetime find valuable enough to be his ticket out of Africa and away from the cycle of violence and corruption in which he has been a willing player. Enter Maddy Bowen (Jennifer Connelly), an idealistic American journalist who is in Sierra Leone to uncover the truth behind conflict diamonds, exposing the complicity of diamond industry leaders who have chosen profits over principles.
Maddy seeks out Archer as a source for her article, but soon finds it is he who needs her even more. With Maddy's help, Archer and Solomon embark on a dangerous trek through rebel territory. Archer needs Solomon to find and recover the valuable pink diamond, but Solomon seeks something far more precious...his son.
This film is on general release in the U.K. on 26th January 2007 and has already been nominated for a Golden Globe.
As some of you may be aware, I am something of a movie addict, and after reading the 'blurb' associated with this film, I eagerly anticipated watching this.
Overall, it's not a bad film. The scenery is spectacular, as you would expect from the setting, and the acting by DiCaprio (NOT one of my favourite actors!) is on a par with his performance in "Catch Me If You Can".
The supporting cast perform an adequate task and overall, the story is interesting enough to keep you occupied for a couple of hours.
As usual, a serious subject is approached in a typically American way in that it fails to accurately inform the audience and plays down the real issues that should have been addressed.
I don't know if I would suggest visiting the cinema to watch this, but I'd certainly say it's worth renting when it is released on DVD.
Overall, I'd give this 7/10.
Additional Info
The trade in 'Conflict Diamonds' (or 'Blood Diamonds', hence the film title) was brought to the attention of the U.N. in 2000, and as a result, all nations who traded in diamonds signed up to "The Kimberley Process" which endeavours to ensure that the trading of 'conflict diamonds' is stamped out.
99% of all diamonds are now from conflict free sources, so it has had a measure of success, especially when you know that 10 million people are involved worldwide with the diamond industry.
Some more facts:
- Approximately $8.4 billion worth of diamonds a year come from African countries.
- An estimated 65% of the world's diamonds come from African countries.
- The revenue from diamonds is instrumental in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
- Sierra Leone is now at peace and exported approximately $142 million diamonds in 2005.
- Diamond revenues enable every child in Botswana to receive free education up to the age of 13.
- An estimated 5 million people have access to appropriate healthcare globally thanks to revenues from diamonds.
