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Learning Center  Blood Diamonds Hollywood's Take On Conflict Diamonds
DiCaprios New Film | Hollywoods Take On Conflict Diamonds |
The film industry has been helping create more awareness about the crisis in conflict diamonds. Some of the films that tackled or at least touched the issue of conflict diamonds are: the James Bond film "Die Another Day", the hip-hop film "Bling: Consequences and Repercussions", an Australian/Nigerian Film called "Death is a Diamond", and the 2005 Hollywood film starring Nicholas Cage "Lord of War".
| A new film starring Leonardo DiCaprio is now creating a stir amongst diamond jewelers. The film entitled "Blood Diamond" is set in Sierra Leone in the 1900s during the brutal civil war that lasted until 2002. The story centers around two African men with different backgrounds - one a mercenary jailed for smuggling blood diamonds and the other a Mende fisherman taken from his family and forced to work in a diamond mine. When Danny Archer, DiCaprio's character, finds out Solomon Vandy (Honsou) has found and hidden an extraordinary rare pink diamond, they become joined in a common quest to recover the diamond. Their journey takes them through rebel territory and gives Archer a chance to redeem himself and Solomon a chance to save his family.
| The new film by Warner Brothers is making jewelers nervous because of the possible negative effects to the diamond industry. De Beers says that the movie could affect public opinion and reduce the demand for diamonds. They say that the trade in conflict diamonds has decreased for 4% to 1% thanks to the Kimberly Process. According to Peggy Jo Donahue, public affairs director of Jewelers of America, "The danger is that people will think the situation in the film is continuing today." De Beers suggests that the movie should include disclaimer that says that the events and people in the film are all fictional and is set in the past.
It seems, however, that jewelers need not be nervous about the effects of the film yet. A survey conducted by the Jewelery Consumer Opinion Council (JCOC) on June 2006 showed that 82% of consumers are still unaware of the film. A majority of the 18% who are aware of the film expressed interest in seeing the film when it is released with only 23% saying that it is unlikely that they'll be seeing the film. JCOC says that it will continue to track the interest of consumers regarding the film and the possible impact of the film on people's feelings about conflict diamonds and its effect on the jewelry market.
The film is also getting attention from the watchdogs of the conflict diamond issue. Kago Mashashane, chairman of the Kimberly Process, asked producers of the film to include an epilogue or special feature, which explains the measures that have been taken and are being taken to stop the conflict diamond trade. Amnesty International and other groups who maintain that the conflict diamond crisis is still not over will surely be happy about the films impending release since it will help create even more awareness regarding the issue.
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Readers Comments Add Your Comments
 | The marketing of diamonds is the biggest con in the world.
Who needs a rock to survive? Nobody. Who needs a rock that has been cut up by a cultish monolopy of men in weird hats and long black coats in Antwerp to survive?
Its sick that humans have died for these rocks, and that people waste thousands of hours of their lives earning money to purchase these rocks.
The biggest con job on earth.
| | there are plenty of things us humans don't NEED to survive. If one person dies to produce a luxury item for a consumer it is one person too many. What is more unfortunate is the ignorance of so many (such as Alberi here) who's xenophobic rants create a negative image of good groups of people. These 'weird people' with their weird black clothes and beards are the fine Hassidim Jews with an art and history of fashioning masterpieces from one of G-d's most precious materials-diamonds. An effort should be made to stop any and all horrible acts of violence and unjustice in the world and awareness is the first step. One must recognize the vastly positive role diamonds have had presently on economies globally along with the inherent negative issues that will arise with the luxury market (silk factories, fur clothing, sweat shops, etc---just to name a few cliches). With any small bit of research it's easy to see that today, the former far outweighs the latter for the diamond industry. The fact remains....we must all do our part to ensure that our own actions do not directly or indirectly support and fund hate, violence, and/or inequality around the world.
| | I saw a sneak preview of Blood Diamond. Everyone should see it. It is amazing. I will not buy another diamond. Way to go Leonardo Dicaprio for your amazing role in an incredibly eye opening movie.
| | Not only does Mr. Di Alberi prove himself uneducated about the diamond industry, he also exposes his bigotry: "cultish monopoly of men in weird hats and long black coats in Antwerp". Hopefully, Mr. Di Alberi's hateful voice will not be heeded. Meanwhile, in Africa, diamond mining is creating revenue to help build hopsitals and schools for citizens and has created a plethora of jobs to support families. Festus Mogae, President of Botswana, stated that the economic development Botswana has experience would not have been possible without revenue from diamonds, proving that Nelson Mandela is not the only person of this opinion.
| | I agree. Just try donning a pair of fake diamond earrings shortly after Christmas and watch how many "oohs and aaahs" are expelled by stupid Americans who think your hubby is the best.
| | I've just watch the movie tonite..the movie is only available in my country this year. Its d best movie i've seen in a long time. If it entails all those sufferings of countless human beings in Africa just so people can gloat at a rock,"diamonds is a girls best friend" sounds bimbo to me. The movie i must say have such a strong impact on its audience, including me-i've make it a point to educate myself on conflict diamonds and acertain the origins of d diamonds before i make any purchase in d future.
| | I think that any one who see's the film will defently be moved, and will chek where the diamond comes from befor buying it.
it's just sick to think that some one could of lost there parents,children or there hands just for one person in a rich contry to have a nice prestent for valentines day! if they could see what has been done to make that diamond i hope that they would be discusted and not wont it.
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