Blood Diamond was released in 2006 and is set during the Sierra Leone Civil War of 1991 – 2002. The film is directed by Edward Zwick, and stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, and Jennifer Connelly.
This film is not for the faint hearted as it shows the violence of this war with its many atrocities.
Blood Diamond refers to what is also known as conflict diamonds, these diamonds are mined in war zones and are then sold and profits used to finance conflicts and where the warlords committing these atrocities profit from the money.
The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor.
Meet the Characters
In the film we meet Solomon, played by Djimon Hounsou, who is struggling to provide for his family. His dream is to send his son Dia, played by Caruso Kuypers, to medical school. His dreams are dashed by the violence in his country.
Solomon is spared from the conflict, but is forced to pan for diamonds. His son Dia is taken from him and is forced to join the conflict as a child soldier. He is brainwashed and given a gun and forced to fight in the conflict.
The film depicts the horror of this country and we see bandits getting rich with smuggled diamonds, rather than with money won from something legal, like wagering with some online betting.
The Pink Diamond
Solomon makes a discovery of a huge pink diamond, but he is forced to hide the diamond when the camp is raided. Danny Archer, played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Solomon find themselves incarcerated together.
Archer was caught trying to smuggle diamonds into Liberia. When Archer finds out about the diamond he gets himself and Solomon free.
Archer leaves the country for his home South Africa, where he is involved in some dodgy activities and his employer a corrupt Afrikaner forces him to go and find the pink diamond.
Archer intends to steal the diamond and use the money to fund his escape from his employer. When Archer returns to Sierra Leone he promises to help Solomon find his family in return for finding the diamond.
A Touch of Romance
Maddy Bowen, who plays a journalist, is looking for evidence of the illegal diamond trade and Archer promises to give her the story.
Solomon’s son is released but because he has been so badly brainwashed he refuses to acknowledge his father.
A whole lot of conflict and fighting ensues as the search for the hidden diamond continues. Archer’s employer turns out to be one of the bad guys and adds intrigue to the story.
This film highlights the plight of conflict zones in Africa, and the corruption that continues due to the greed of warlords and corrupt governments. We see the true friendship of two men caught up in a civil war and their struggle to protect their family.
There is also a bit of romance thrown in. The plight of child soldiers is also highlighted. The film offers vivid pictures of the violence and is not appropriate for children.