At the turn of the century, Sierra Leone, a small, coastal country in northwestern Africa, was stripped apart by civil war. The conflict was started by rebel forces who wanted to overthrow the government. Though there were many reasons for their attempt to overthrow, a big reason was the profitable diamond mines. Caught in the middle of the strife were the local people of Sierra Leone. Also, the country has the lowest life expectancy in the world at 30 years old.
The rebels and the government purged villages and towns of innocent people in their attempts to get at one another and to possess diamond mines. Most of the diamonds were never seen by the people of Sierra Leone. The government wanted them to have enough money to move into exile and the rebels wanted the diamonds to fuel their overthrow.
Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou) is a fishermen caught by the rebel R.U.F. group. Throughout the movie, Solomon has a sense of innocence. He wants to be with his family and he wants his son to get a good education. He finds it difficult to lie even to save his own life. He also doesn't like the ease with which some kill people. He perfectly represents the locals.
While in the possession of the R.U.F., Solomon finds one of the biggest diamonds they've ever seen in the diamond mines. He buries it as the government attacks and arrests the rebels and their captives.
Insert Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio). The ex-South African military/mercenary hired by South African hit men to find and sell conflict diamonds on the black market. He trades arms for conflict diamonds with the rebels and the government alike. He funds the war. Archer convinces Vandy that he can save his family and that the diamond is his ticket out of the country. Archer has his own selfish desires for getting the diamond.
With help from American journalist Maddy Bowen (Jennifer Connelly), the two find a way back to the diamond mine to find that massive diamond Solomon found. They run into Solomon's son who has been trained (aka brainwashed) by the R.U.F. to kill. They are armed with an AK-47 and told to kill the resistance. The R.U.F. uses drugs and alcohol to brainwash the kids. Eventually, they become completely different people. Solomon's son would have killed his father if he had the chance. He refuses to recognize his father.
They find the diamond and escape. Solomon carries Archer to safety, which reinforces the "carry" metaphor. Whether Archer had a change of heart or just couldn't make it, he did not steal the diamond from Solomon. Solomon escaped the country determined to bring down the fictional Van de Kaap jewelers who purchase the conflict diamonds regularly. Solomon is the hope to save his country and let the world know of the atrocities that happen in the small country.
"Blood Diamond" is a compelling story loaded with action and meaning. This is one of the best stories to come from Hollywood in the past five years. Director Edward Zwick (The Last Samurai, Legends of the Fall) presents us with a startling truth about the displeasing state of Sierra Leone.
The treatment of the locals is quite sad and discomforting. Connelley is there to document exactly what is happening. DiCaprio is the negative outsider who hates the continent but remains to steal and sell diamonds. "I used to wonder, 'Will God ever forgive us for what we've done to each other. But then I realized that God left this place a long time ago."
DiCaprio is the cynical mercenary who sees the strife and atrocities in the country but chooses to do his own work instead of helping. He believes there is no way to help the people. In the end, he helps Hounsou and Connelley expose the truth about conflict diamonds.
This movie was nominated for 5 Oscars but won none. Djimon Hounsou was ripped off for supporting actor. He was terrific and well-deserving. Probably the biggest snub of all time.
Anytime anything of value is found in Africa the locals are killed. It happened with ivory, rubber, gold and oil. And now it is happening with diamonds.
-The United States accounts for 2/3 of diamond purchases.
-Conflict diamonds represent 15% of all diamonds.
-Rather than an export for the country, the diamonds are smuggled out and traded for arms to fund the civil war.
-Neighboring country Liberia has $2 billion in diamond exports but no diamonds to speak of in the country.
-The earth is red from the spilt blood.
-As a result from this story, the Kimberley Process began which is a more in depth effort to eliminate conflict diamonds.
-Up to the consumer to ensure the diamond they buy is not a conflict diamond.
-Now, Sierra Leone is at peace.
-There are 200,000 child soldiers in Africa.
To affirm the state of Africa, Archer lives the credo "TIA." Expect everything because Africa's state is poor and anything can and will happen. What happens there is just part of the country.
This Is Africa
4.5 of 5 stars
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