Free Essay

Blood Diamond - Film Review

In:

Submitted By markustm
Words 664
Pages 3
«BLOOD DIAMOND» - Film review.

Blood Diamond is an Oscar-nominated political war thriller movie from 2006 directed by Edward Zwick. The movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, Jennifer Connelly, Kagiso Kuypers and Stephen Collins.
The movie is set during the Sierra Leone Civil War, from 1996 to 2001. We get introduced to the main characters, Danny Archer and Solomon Vandy, both living in Sierra Leone. Solomon gets kidnapped by the RUF (Revolutionary United Front). He got separated from his family, and his son got kidnapped too, and turned into a child-soldier. Solomon got sent to work as a slave in the diamond mines. If the slaves found any diamonds, the RUF would use the diamonds to buy military weapons. One day Solomon found a big shiny diamond, and he tried to hide it, but one of the RUF-soldiers caught him hiding it and Solomon got arrested, but the diamond stayed hidden. Behind bars, Solomon met Danny Archer, who had been arrested for diamond-smuggling. Danny found out about Solomon’s hidden diamond, and he offers to help Solomon finding his family in-trade for the diamond.
Finding the diamond, and getting Solomon’s family back is the main-conflict in the movie. Throughout the movie we follow the main characters, Solomon and Danny. Salomon is introduced as a normal and happy family-father with a normal life. This changes when he gets kidnapped by the RUF. Salomon gets more and more angry and unstable during his time away from his family. He wants the best for his family and is willing to sacrifice anything for them. He would easily trade his family for the million-dollar-worth diamond he found. At the end, he finally gets his family back after many painful and horrible weeks.
Danny Archer is introduced as a very primitive and arrogant guy. He has a sad past, including both of his parents getting killed. He is a smuggler, and he wants the diamond found by Solomon, so he can be rich and leave Africa for good. During the movie Solomon meets a journalist, Maddy Bowen. Throughout the movie we, as viewers, notice a romantic spark between them. At the end of the movie, Danny puts his own life at risk to protect and save Solomon and Solomon’s son, Dia.

The mood and atmosphere of the film can sometimes be very different. There are sad and horror filled moments, sometimes funny jokes are inserted. As a viewer, you always feel the fear and the perception. The characters are “walking on ice” throughout the movie, which means you will never know what happens next or who “the target” will be. The movies language is most of all English, and sometimes Afrikaans. Most of the characters are speaking English with an African accent, and this is making the movie more realistic.
There are many themes in this movie. First of all, it’s about how awful and horrific people can treat each other because of power and money. We see in this movie that the RUF is chopping of little children’s hands so that they can’t vote. Here, we see that human rights are also a theme, including selfishness and power. How far are people willing to go for a decent life? There is also killing, bombing and gun-firing during the movie. People take the good and joy for granted and that they use other people to do things they never would have done on their own.
I like this movie very much, and I recommend it to everybody over 15 years old. The movie is based on something horrible and illegal that is actually happening today. “Conflict diamonds” is still happening today, and it is important that people get an insight of what’s really happening in this part of the world. I think this movie describes “conflict diamonds” very good and how horrific it is. It is a very well done movie, and it has almost gotten just positive feedbacks.

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Child Soldiers in Sierra Leone

...Africa in Cinema- Final Paper Professor Rice May 2010 Child Soldiers in Sierra Leone This semester, the topic of Child Soldiers presented a very interesting dilemma that several countries in Africa continue to face today. Sierra Leone, in particular, has struck an interest because of the many films and readings that try to depict this story of the civil war. In class, we have viewed two films representing the problems with child soldiers in Sierra Leone which include films titled Blood Diamond and Ezra. Both films represent opposite sides of the spectrum, as Blood Diamond shows the Western view of child soldiers and Ezra represents the first African view of child soldiers. Before discussing the two films, there are also two articles that depict the issues of child soldiers in great detail. In the first article by A. B. Zack-Williams titled, “Child Soldiers in the Civil War in Sierra Leone,” the author describes the reasons behind children even joining rebel based armies such as the RUF, why children are chosen as soldiers against their will, and the examination of policies that are yet to be instilled on this matter. The first valid point that the author makes is the purpose of the RUF (Revolutionary United Front). The focus of this organization is to seek a better life for the people in Sierra Leone. They feel as if their lives have been wasted because of poor housing, malnutrition and no opportunity to succeed and that the government is to blame. With that said...

Words: 1488 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Blood Diamond Movie Review

... The movie “Blood Diamond” is directed by Edward Zwick. This movie is considered as one of the great movies because the diamonds mined at Africa are traded in exchange for firearms and other weapons which are used in civil wars, coups and cruel military dictatorships, and what makes the story interesting is that, which side is worse? Is it the government or the rebels? So the first thing we see in this story if we will relate it to economic situation is that, people face tradeoffs. RUFs mine diamonds and sell to those people who will give them firearms in exchange for diamonds. Back to the story, this story takes place in 1999 in Sierra Leone, which during that time, is at civil war. The story stars Leonardo DiCapprio, played the role as Danny Archer, who is a diamond smuggler who needs money to leave Africa for good. There, he meets Solomon Vandy. His life changed when the Revolutionary United Front or RUF invaded their village, killed many people, and kidnapped most children and men. His family escaped, and he is sent to the forced labor camp to mine diamond. During that time, diamonds have really high value because they are traded for arms and is sold for a very high price. When Solomon is sifting sand on a river bank, he saw a 100 karat pink diamond which he initially hides then later buries. No less than a minute, it happened that there was government raid, he captured and he was sent in jail. There he meets Danny, who made deal with him. For diamond: Danny will help...

Words: 2192 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Ethics in Blood Diamond

...Ethical movie review Title: Blood Diamond Year: 2006 Studio: Virtual Studios Producer: Warner Bros. Director: Edward Zwick Country: United States of America 0.1 Introduction The following essay will examine ethical issues addressed through the movie “Blood Diamond”. The two main issues identified and discussed are; child soldiers and conflict diamonds. My main lens of ethical theories will consist of the four western theories, this includes, egoism, utilitarianism, ethics of duties and ethics of rights. Even though these theories are based on ethical absolutism, I will still try to apply a pluralistic view. Additionally, some of these theories will be expanded and other theories that do not tend so much towards ethical absolutism will be added. The following section will concentrate more on how these issues occurred and try to give some potential answer to the problems. In order to do so descriptive ethical theories will be tools in the examination. Finally the conclusion will be presented by a combination of a film review and a short summary of the findings in the text. 1.1 Children with guns The first of the two ethical issues that will be examined is the use of kids as soldiers. In order to do so I believe I have to take a subjective role on the subject, looking from a rebel soldier. The reasons for this is because I believe objective or western views on this topic will in the end state that this is neither moral or ethical. In order to get a more interesting...

Words: 3522 - Pages: 15

Premium Essay

Should Saviour Sibling Be Banned Essay

...a Saviour Sibling. The £6000 procedure includes the selection of an embryo (via HLA-tissue typing and PGD). Once the embryo has developed it could provide umbilical stem cells or tissue to an older sibling suffering from a serious medical condition, which may be treated by such donation. The 1990 HFE Act didn’t contain specific legislation with regards to the treatment of ‘saviour siblings.’ However, a number of high profile cases soon occurred to emphasise the need for clear-cut regulations surrounding the concept. Furthermore, the 2006 Department of Health review of the HFE Act 1990...

Words: 952 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Patato Chips Adn Snack Foods

...Comparative Test Brand Rank Weight Price (in gm.) (in `) potato Chips Bingo Parle Lays Haldirams Pringles Uncle Chips 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 3 4 66 84 63 66 182 72 200 60 18 130 110 120 150 20 20 20 15 122 20 42 10 5 20 15 20 20 Branded Chips & Snacks Stay within Munching limits! Bikano Balaji Diamond Snack Food Kurkure Bikano Chatex Parle Fulltoss Haldiram’sTakatak 2 Branded chips and snacks have become part of the daily diet for rural and urban kids in india. Working parents prefer to buy the branded chips and snacks as they believe that these are prepared hygienically and will provid some amount of energy and nourishment that the children are deprived of because of their parents busy schedules. Parents tend to forget that chips and snacks are fillers and not a whole meal that provides nutrition in some proportion. Consumer VOiCe did comparative testing of well known chips and snacks brands to find out how well these products perform on health and hygiene parametres . Fortunately all the tested products were endorsed as hygienic and as far as being healthy, the manufacturer were playing with words – ‘no added msg’, ‘edible oil’, ‘iodized salt’. So many different names confusing even educated consumers searching for definition of these words in dictionaries rather than being able to make a quick decision as to which product is most suited for them. Read our report to help you make a better choice next time! F rom being a poor man’s staple diet ensuring sufficient...

Words: 4625 - Pages: 19

Premium Essay

Dracula

...Dracula 1931 Directed by: Tod Browning and Karl Freund Writing Credits: Bram Stoker, Hamilton Deane, John L Balderston, Garrett Fort, Louis Bromfield, Tod Browning, Max Cohen, Dudley Murphy, Louis Stevens Producers: E.M. Asher, Tod Browing, Carl Laemmle Jr Cinematographer: Karl Freund Film Editing: Milton Carruth Art Direction: Charles D. Hall Production Management: John Hoffman, Herman Rosse Second Unit Director or Assistant Director: Scott R. Beal, Herman Schlom Sound Department: C. Roy Hunter, Jack Bolger, Jack Foley, William Hedgcock Art Department: John Hoffman, Charles A. Logue, Herman Rosse Camera and Electrical Department: Frank H. Booth, Joseph Brotherton, Roman Freulich, King D. Gray Script Supervisor: Cast: Count Dracula………Bela Lugosi Mina………………...Helen Chandler John Harker…………David Manners Renfield……………..Dwight Frye Van Helsing…………Edward Van Sloan Doctor Seward………Herbert Bunston Lucy…………………Frances Dade Maid…………………Joan Standing Martin……………….Charles K. Gerrard Innkeeper’s Daugher..Anna Bakacs Coach Passenger………..Nicholas Bela Innkeepers Wife………..Barbara Bozoky Harbormaster…………...Tod Browning Maid……………………Moon Carroll Dracula’s Wife…………Geraldine Dvorak Small Scientist………….John George Flower Girl……………..Anita Harder Coach Passenger……….Carla Laemmle Coach Passenger………Donald Murphy Surgeon……………….Wyndham Standing Dracula’s Wife………..Cornelia Thaw Dracula’s Wife………..Dorothy Tree Grace-English Nurse….Josephine Velez Innkeeper………………Michael...

Words: 2008 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

Ethic

...[pic][pic][pic]0diggsdigg |[pic]Get THR Mobile Alerts       [pic] FREE Newsletters | |[pic][pic][pic]Film Reviews Up in the Air -- Film Review By Stephen Farber, September 06, 2009 07:02 ET [pic] Bottom Line: Laughs and heartbreak meld seamlessly in this brilliant character drama. Telluride Film Festival TELLURIDE, Colo. -- Cynicism and sentiment have melded magically in movies by some of the best American directors, from Preston Sturges and Billy Wilder to Alexander Payne. Jason Reitman mined the same territory in "Thank You for Smoking" and his smash hit, "Juno," and it's pleasing to report that he's taken another rewarding journey down this prickly path in his eagerly awaited new film, "Up in the Air." Boasting one of George Clooney's strongest performances, the film seems like a surefire awards contender, and the buzz will attract a sizable audience, even though some viewers might be startled by the uncompromising finale. Reitman and co-writer Sheldon Turner embellishes Walter Kirn's acclaimed novel about a man who spends much of his life in the air, traveling around the country to fire people for executives too gutless to do the dirty job themselves. The character is just about as unsavory as the corporate pimp played by Jack Lemmon in Wilder's "The Apartment." When a character begins as such a sleazeball, you know there must be a moral transformation lurking somewhere in the last reel. That redemption never quite arrives for Clooney's Ryan Bingham, which is...

Words: 1919 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Sylubus

...ANTHROPOLOGY 101 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology Queens College / CUNY, Spring 2015 TuTh 12:15-1:30PM, Kiely 150 Professor: Ramona Lee Pérez, PhD Email: ramona.perez@qc.cuny.edu Office hours: Th 2-3 PM, PH 315H COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is an introduction to the range of human diversity through an exploration of the peoples of the world. We will cover the basic concepts, theories, and methods that anthropologists use to study variations in cultural norms and social practices, economic systems and rules of law, social organization and patterns of inequality, identity and worldview, and patterns of social and cultural change. Focusing on the culture concept and the method of ethnography, we begin with the historical foundations of anthropology and then follow its attempts to understand contemporary human cultures. Comparative analysis of multiple ethnographic case studies and major theoretical approaches illuminates the range of human diversity, the forces that shape cultures, and how people adapt to a rapidly changing modern world. The central objectives of this course are to develop your intellectual skills, your cross-cultural fluency, and your sense of civic and moral engagement in global society. I hope that this course inspires many of you to become anthropology majors or minors, and grants each of you an anthropological perspective on your own life. REQUIREMENTS This is an intensive course that requires full participation from every student...

Words: 9454 - Pages: 38

Premium Essay

Deeper Luxury Report

...Deeper Luxury lp lan eta ryr es t originalexperientialconnectedwholelovingdepthmeaningspecialnaturalauthenticgreengenuinetrustedconsceoustsusttainableethicalinnerintegralrespectfulplanetaryrestorativethri r us bl i na nableenchantinginnerintegralrespectfulconsciousrestorativeauthentircgreencontributingengagingworthwhileinspirinedcpinitualcreativediverseoriginalexperientialconnectedwhole gs o r taing henticg eengenuinetru s erseoriginalexperientialconnectedwholelovingdepthmeanitngtspecialnaturalauthentstgreconsciuiussuustedconscioussustsciinu bleethicalinnerintegralrespectfulplanetaryconscio hau a oas ic ed engeno netr dep su s t ovi g i e ectedwholelovingdepthmeaningspecialnaturalethichallelrunstedplanetarysustainableencharnttvinginnerintegralrespectfulconsciousres torativeauthenticgreencontributingengagingwo oa tai w o cted aningspecialnaturalauth me originalexperientialconnectedwholelovingdepntnh na e e us r enticgreengenuinetrustedconsciousspetainableethicalinnb rintegralrespectfulplanetaryrestorativethri o alc x l ie i ieo nableenchantinginnerintegralrespecltfuelrcntinsciousrestorativeauthenticgreencontributingengagingworthwhileinspiringspiritualcreativedeverseoriginalexperientialconnectedwvholre xp rati eth e th ina yr to ig ce erseoriginalexperientialconnescoredwholelovingdepthmeaningspecialnaturalauthenticgreengenuinetrustedconscioussustainableethicalininal rintegralrespectfulplantatraresconscio ee y et r inn langengagingwo ive fu d ectedwholelovingdepthmetaningspe...

Words: 22851 - Pages: 92

Free Essay

Collapse

...Collapse- book is about a history topic about how societies choose to fail or survive. The main characters are historical people and unknown kings of Mayan cities or Easter Island villages. Jared Diamond tells the story of the Viking explorer Erik the Red, who discovered Greeland and Vinland (Terranova, in Canada). Another character is captain Olafsson, a norse sailor who wrote the last news about Greenland in 1410. Another main character is Christopher Columbus, who arrived at Hispaniola in 1492, but now this island is two countries, the Dominican Republic and the Haiti. Diamond studied the politics of two presidents. the dominican Rafael Trujillo, who protected the enviroment and the dictator François, Papa Doc, Duvalier, who decided on politics of deforestatation of his country, Haiti. The author considered the bad politics of another main character, king George II, who was interested in sending merinosheeps from Spain to Australia, an idea which was succesful from 1820 to 1950 but then the farmers understood their lands lost fertility. Another main character is Tokuwaga Jeayasu, a shogun of Japan in 1600, who prohibited Christianity in 1600 and protected his country againt deforestation.  The book takes us to a lot of places around the globe: Mayan cities, Rwanda, Viking colonies of Vinland or Greenland, Haiti and Dominican Republic, Easter Island and Polynesian colonies in Pacific, and the Chaco villages in New Mexico (United States). The time period was from 800 AC, when...

Words: 22095 - Pages: 89

Free Essay

Ideo Paper

...INSPECTION & TESTING OF MATERIALS COMPILED BY: SYED HAIDER ALI (COURSE MATERIAL FOR DEPARTMENTAL PROMOTION EXAMINATION (DPE)) Chapter # 1: METALLOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION: 2 Chapter # 1: METALLOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION: ................................................................... 6 1.1 INTRODUCTION: ......................................................................... 6 1.2 METALLURGICAL MICROSCOPE: .................................................... 6 1.3 SPECIMEN PREPARATION: ............................................................ 8 1.5 MICRO AND MACRO EXAMINATION:............................................. 13 1.6 STUDY OF MICROSTRUCTURES: .................................................. 14 Chapter # 2: Tensile Testing .............................................................................................................. 19 2.1 INTRODUCTION: ....................................................................... 19 2.2 PROCEDURE OF TENSILE TESTING: ............................................. 19 2.3 TENSILE PROPERTIES: ............................................................... 21 2.4 EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS OF TENSILE TESTING: ........................... 26 Chapter # 3: Bend Test ....................................................................................................................... 28 3.1 INTRODUCTION: ....................................................................... 28 3.2 TYPES OF BEND TEST: .........................

Words: 29832 - Pages: 120

Premium Essay

Hrm Practices in Bangladesh

...Export Policy 2009-2012 Contents SL. No Chapters Subject Page No 1 Preface 1-2 2 Chapter One Title, Objectives, Strategies, Application and Scope3-5 3 Chapter Two General Provisions for Export 6-8 4 Chapter Three Steps toward Export Diversification 9-11 5 Chapter Four General Export Facilities 12-18 6 Chapter Five Product-Specific Export Facilities 19-23 7 Chapter Six Export of Services 24 8 Chapter Seven Other Steps towards Export Promotion 25 9 Annex-1 List of Export-Prohibited Products 26 10 Annex-2 List of Products under Conditional Export 27 Broad Objectives: The general objective of this study is to determine the present activities of export, import and the significance of their role for smooth, efficient and effective marketing process of export & import products overseas. Specific Objectives: • However the specific objectives of the study may be described as: • To identify the challenges of export Products in the Global Market. • To sketch the overall condition of the Bangladeshi export & import sectors in the global... [continues] Objectives of the Study : The objections of the report are : • To expose the Different years export & Import • To find out the different products offered to exports & imports. • Acquiring a practical knowledge and personal observation about overall export & import procedure & policy , functions, principles. • Find out the activities and implication of Export...

Words: 9789 - Pages: 40

Free Essay

Train Your Brain

...Dominic O’Brien is renowned for his phenomenal feats of memory and for outwitting the casinos of Las Vegas at the blackjack tables, resulting in a ban. In addition to winning the World Memory Championships eight times, he was named the Brain Trust of Great Britain’s Brain of the Year in 1994 and Grandmaster of Memory in 1995. He has made numerous appearances on TV and radio and holds a host of world records, including one for memorizing 2,385 random binary digits in 30 minutes. In 2005 he was given a lifetime achievement award by the World Memory Championships International in recognition of his work to promote the art of memory all over the world; and in 2010 he became the General Manager of the World Memory Sports Council. By the same author (all published by Duncan Baird Publishers) How to Develop a Brilliant Memory: Week by Week How to Pass Exams Learn to Remember Never Forget: A Name or Face Never Forget: A Number or Date This edition published in the UK in 2011 by Watkins Publishing, Sixth Floor, Castle House, 75–76 Wells Street, London W1T 3QH Copyright © Watkins Publishing 2011 Text copyright © Dominic O’Brien 2011 Illustrations copyright © Watkins Publishing 2011 Dominic O’Brien has asserted his moral right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. Mind Maps® is a registered trade mark of Tony Buzan in the UK and USA. For further information visit www.thinkbuzan.com. All...

Words: 51768 - Pages: 208

Free Essay

Philosophical Scope of Fiction in Sidney Sheldon Life

...fundamental question that essentially arises whenever associate degree scholar of ideas ‘deals with a piece that he hopes to grasp. Such scholar could have centered his attention on a piece of literature - a literary composition, a play, a completely unique novel - or on a piece of philosophy – some exercise in moral, political, religious, or different such mode of thought. However the fundamental question can all tell such cases remain the same: what area unit the suitable procedures to adopt within the try of arrival at understanding of the work? This paper provides a synopsis of Sidney Sheldon life, reviews its key scientific challenges, and discusses its philosophical implications. It ends with many words concerning the implications of his work for the society. INTRODUCTION Sydney Sheldon is the most celebrated dramatic/suspense novel author of twentieth century. He’s additionally film, TV & amp; stage show/drama author and winner of an honor. Sydney’s own life was a pure drama, poorest at one stage; rich person at another. State capital wrote his 1st novel at the age of fifty three once individuals begin coming up with for retirement. It had been an enormous flop, he didn’t surrender, wrote another that clothed to be an excellent success. He thought of life as a completely unique, you never understand what happens next till you switch consecutive page. Never Stop, never quit, was his message. Browse a photo from his fascinating autobiography by kashif ilyas: The thronged building...

Words: 3676 - Pages: 15

Free Essay

Loyola College

...10/25/2013 Department of Physics | Loyola College | JOURNAL | PHYSICA | JOURNAL | PHYSICA | CONTNETS * About college * About physics department * Students club * Science news * Science facts * Picture of the day * Puzzle * Riddle ABOUT COLLEGE Glorious college: Loyola College Loyola College was founded by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1925, with the primary objective of providing University Education in a Christian atmosphere for deserving Students, especially those belonging to the Catholic Community. Although this college is meant primarily for Catholics, it admits other students irrespective of caste and creed.  The College aims at training young men and women of quality to be leaders in all walks of life, whom we hope will play a vital role in bringing about the desired changes for the betterment of the people of our country, more particularly of the dalits and other poorer and marginalized sections of society. The College trains young men and women to serve their fellowmen in justice, truth and love. Loyola College became autonomous in July 1978. The College, however, continues to be affiliated to the University of Madras and is autonomous, in the sense that it is free to frame its own course of studies and adopt innovative methods of teaching and evaluation. The University degrees will be conferred on the students passing the examinations conducted by the college. In Loyola, we look at education differently...

Words: 5054 - Pages: 21