Watched Leonardo DiCaprio in Blood Diamond, the film is set during Sierra Leone’s civil war in 1999. The title refers to diamonds that are mined in war zones and then sold to fund conflicts; though the diamond trade is now strictly regulated, it is estimated that 1% of diamonds mined come from conflict zones. Once processed and fashioned into jewellery, the consumer has no knowledge of the diamond’s original location. The film reminded me of Noel Jenkins’ work on the subject, a great example of a product web and interdependence.
We also have historical links with Sierra Leone, it being an ex-colony, British forces are currently present in the country advising the government on the development of its armed forces.
The film has an adult rating, due to its disturbing scenes of civil conflict, so it’s one for parental permission, trailer below.
Popularity: 33% [?]
14 comments
Posted in People as Consumers, Resources
Written on Sat, 23 June 2007 at 8:46 pm
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June 24th, 2007 at 7:53 am
A fried of mine who’s a nurse worked in Sierra Leone for a while and came into contact with some ‘interesting’ local characters before an emergency airlift out of the country when things started getting very dangerous !
June 24th, 2007 at 9:09 am
Not for the faint-hearted… I can’t even imagine what it was like.
June 24th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
Watched that 1-2 months ago. Great film.
June 24th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Lots of Geography in there. A bit mad though that a rock can cause such heartache in one place and such joy in another.
June 24th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
Yeehh. Bit harsh how they gather there workers though
June 24th, 2007 at 9:56 pm
The child soliders bits were most shocking to me, I had to keep reminding myself that it was a work of fiction, but represented reality.
June 24th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
Yeehh And why did they chop hands off?
June 24th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
Power and to instill fear into the wider population.
I think it also refers to how King Leopold of the Belgiums allowed the native groups to be treated in Congo,
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3516965.stm
June 24th, 2007 at 10:39 pm
Sounds like a nice man to meet ;] Sounds like hitler with the poles
June 25th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
Sadly it seems the world is full of them….
June 25th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Yeeh Atleast every istn like them
June 25th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
True
August 1st, 2007 at 7:17 pm
[...] a child solider involved in the civil war in Sierra Leone, those of you familiar with the film ‘Blood Diamond’ will know something of the background to the conflict, it is a harrowing read, but well worth it to [...]
August 1st, 2007 at 7:20 pm
[...] a child solider involved in the civil war in Sierra Leone, those of you familiar with the film ‘Blood Diamond’ will know something of the background to the conflict, it is a harrowing read, but well worth it to [...]