Blood Diamond
I went and saw Blood Diamond last night and 24 hours later it’s still all I can think about. Blood Diamond tackles a slew of issues facing Africa such as hyper-violent rebel militia groups (like the RUF or LRA), the first world’s insatiable greed over Africa’s resources, blood diamonds, the diamond industry itself (De Beers, etc.), child soldiers, the rampant small-arms trade (for more see Lord of War) and STILL manages to tell an incredibly compelling story of redemption in the midst of such tragedy. And good stories are more compelling than documentaries.
There have been a number of good films recently bringing to light the suffering in Africa; Hotel Rwanda, Lord of War, Constant Gardener, Invisible Children, Tsotsi and now Blood Diamond. I hope and pray that films like these help us to act in response to what’s happening NOW in Africa. Janjaweed are still committing genocide against black Africans in the Darfur region of Sudan. Just to the south the LRA is still capturing children and forcing them to fight in their resistance to the Ugandan government. Let’s hope that Christians start imagining what a redemptive response to these situations could be. Some people are already thinking... check out InvisibleChildren.com
posted by Charlie at 10:24 PM
8 Comments:
The Constant Gardener is also about important issues.
Very true. The Constant Gardener was another one of those helpful, enlightening, and troubling movies. That was a good movie.
(I don't suppose there would be time when we're in NM to go see this, huh, Charlie? Probably not a very festive Christmas activity. I think you're right that I need to see it, though.)
I was looking forward to this movie until I found out that Warner brothers, had hired many of the locals amputees to be in the movie, promising them new prosthetics, and then till this day have not given them any, their excuse, we have to wait 2 years for profits to be able to afford those limps to send them to the 'extras' I was soo upset I had made my decision not to see this film, do to its hypocrisy! I mean Warner Brothers cant afford this?? Are you kidding me…grrr…anyways that’s my rant…
http://paulmorgun.blogspot.com/2006/10/blood-diamond_24.html#comments
Paul,
It's good to keep in mind that there is a big difference between the writers and filmakers and the Studio that releases the film itself. Those who wrote and captured this story would not hesitate to give to the victims, but the burocracy at Warner Bros sure would. Sad that the studio is being lame, but still a film worth seeing.
You are right about the story it self, I was very excited to see it, I don't disagree with any of what you had said about these kind of stories ignite a sense of redemtive response. Just the whole situation with warner bros. put a sour taste in my mouth...its too bad that on one hand North America can put out a movie to raise our awareness and in the same thrust hurt people in the same region...you know. But lets hope that this story can move us to a response...
Charie you're right. This movie is amazing. I saw it on Saturday Night for free and left wanting to pay the theatre because I felt like I ripped them off! Powerful indeed.
You also forgot to mention Tears of The Sun! Teh actors in that movie were actual victims of the attrocities in Africa!
i also saw this movie the other day, "powerful" is a good word for it,
astounding injustice for something so silly as a rock.
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