Ma. Angelina B. Arrozal II Ms.

Dayene Sipaco
April 05, 2011 English I

Movie review: Blood Diamond

Upon watching the movie “Blood Diamond” I started to feel something in

my heart and in my mind. It’s a movie about the people who are hungry for
the money. People don’t care about their fellow country men or brothers and
sisters. I did ask my instructor (Sir Chris) a lot of questions about this movie.
It helped me realize that there are a lot of problems out there that needs to be
solved. As I wrestled with God on the “why’s” and “how’s” of this
conflict I was faced with a reality I can’t get away from. I was feeling
such anger toward the rebel army. I felt anger toward the men in
business suits talking about this conflict and what action was needed to
do to stop it. It angered me that as they sat there deliberating in a safe
conference room rebel soldiers in Sierra Leone were raiding and killing,
raping and kidnapping, steeling and brainwashing their fellow country men,
women, and children. To be honest I cried a lot of times doing this reaction
paper. It moved me apparently, especially the thought of helping those
people in Africa. It actually frustrates me when it pops up to my mind
asking myself “How the hell I can help them? Is there any chance I
could show them that there’s hope and love? And if there is, God is with
them.” The subject of injustices on the continent of Africa has always
caused a deep reaction inside me. Africa is such a beautiful and, for the most
part, simple land. Most of Africa is filled with generous kind and loving
people who are just trying to raise their families and enjoy life. I wanted to
tell to the people who are involved in this matter that “love your neighbors
as you love yourself”. Diamond smuggling is a real and big thing all over
the world. After centuries of raping Africa for its resources, now we exploit
its misery for our amusement. It shocked me when I knew that the diamonds
rich people possesses are came from those Africans who suffered from
digging diamonds.
Synopsis: Set against the backdrop of civil war and chaos in 1990's
Sierra Leone, "Blood Diamond" is the story of Danny Archer--a South
African mercenary--and... Set against the backdrop of civil war and
chaos in 1990's Sierra Leone, "Blood Diamond" is the story of Danny
Archer--a South African mercenary--and Solomon Vandy--a Mende
fisherman. Both men are African, but their histories as different as any
can be, until their fates become joined in a common quest to recover a
rare pink diamond that can transform their lives. While in prison for
smuggling, Archer learns that Solomon--who was taken from his family
and forced to work in the diamond fields--has found and hidden the
extraordinary rough stone. With the help of Maddy Bowen, an
American journalist whose idealism is tempered by a deepening
connection with Archer, the two men embark on a trek through rebel
territory, a journey that could save Solomon's family and give Archer
the second chance he thought he would never have.

Within the diamond industry, there are a number of crucial social and
environmental factors that must be considered. These include conflict
diamonds, child labor, the role of state institutions, blood diamond
campaigns, and the resulting effects on global demand. These are all
important in terms of social welfare, but increasingly they are directly
affecting production and consumption patterns as well. Because
diamonds are untraceable, highly valuable and easy to conceal, they are
often used by rebel groups in Africa to raise money and to finance arms
purchases and other illicit activities. Diamonds are smuggled out of
conflict areas and usually taken to neighboring countries to be traded.
Once diamonds are brought to market, their origin is difficult to trace;
after they are polished, they can no longer be identified. The issues may
be simply put, but the brilliant action sequences engage us viscerally.