" This Is Africa, don't mistake it for Paradice "

Rating: 8/10 (15 July 2007)

When one visits any country in the world, you have a choice. You can see the sanitized, section of a community, which is a collection of the neat and pretty places touted by the chamber of commerce or you can ask for and be shown the 'ugly' side of the native habitat. Of course when you do, you may witness things you don't ever wish to see. That is what happens when you view the film " Blood Diamond ". It's not only the director's raw evisceral take on Sierra Leone and the illegal diamond trade, but unfortunately the present picture in Africa. Yet, it's the courageous director who takes on what society at large wishes to remain ignorant of. Once the viewer sits down to watch this touching and unfortunately all too realistic film, he must also prepare himself for a painful reminder of mankind's dark and evil nature. The story is of Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou) an ordinary Africaner, living peacefully in a village in Sierra Leone, with Dia Vandy (Kagiso Kuypers), his son and family when a civil war reaches them. Enslaved and sent to toil in a diamond mine, he cannot believe all the tragedy which has taken place. Enroute, he meets and is befriended by a opportunistic mercenary, named Danny Archer, (Leonardo DiCaprio) who learns, Vandy possesses valuable information on a priceless jewel which could insure Archer's lifelong dream, but may be the one chance which could secure his captive family's return. Together they are pursued by many factions. One is, Colonel Coetzee, (Arnold Vosloo) who also seeks the valuable find. Then there's, Maddy Bowen (Jennifer Connelly) an American reporter seeking a way to expose the diamond merchants and their deadly human trade. Finally there is the civil war, the brutal officers and child-soldiers of the rebel army. Altogether, this film has much to offer, including some heartfelt stories from the characters themselves. ****