Blood Diamond

Blood Diamond Review

The last two films I have seen based in Southern Africa are The Constant Gardener and, most recently, Blood Diamond. Both movies paint a thoroughly depressing picture of oppression that will no doubt have the local Tourist Board pulling their hair out.

The truth is that as brilliant a film Blood Diamond is it is equally depressing. When inundated with shot after shot of abuse, murder, rape, kids taking heroin, more abuse, whole villages being razed to the ground and children with guns shooting indiscriminately it is hard to put the plot on the back burner and spend the entire movie feeling incredibly sorry for those who live there.

While Blood Diamond is not a true story the elements that comprise the political and social aspects are based on the diamond trade in various countries in South Africa. You can visit the Blood Diamond website (http://blooddiamondmovie.warnerbros.com/) and browse locations and events following the conflict diamond impact. Necessary reading.

It is easy for the subject matter to overwhelm the film, a shame as it is both beautifully shot and acted with conviction by all present. While DiCaprio surprises and conveys the word 'harrassed' with every fraught frown, Benin born Djimon Hounsou takes the honours as the more than convincing father searching for his family in war torn Sierra Leone.

The ending provides some resolution, but based against the reality of the situation it could be accused of being something more than just hopeful. While a more realistic resolution would be the more brave option, perhaps it would be more than a westernised audience could bear. While Blood Diamond attempts to show us the diamond trade unfiltered, it is at the end where the film loses its nerve.