Module:
Reporting, Sub: The role of Media portrayed in film ‘Blood Diamond’
The story of ‘Blood Diamond revolves around the civil war
in Sierra Leone in 1990 and three central characters- Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou), a Mende fisherman, Danny
Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio), a 31-year old
South African mercenary and Maddy Bowen
(Jennifer Connelly), an American journalist, who wants to do a story on the
illegal trade of diamonds. Solomon has been separated from his family to work as
a slave in an illegal diamond mine. Danny is a diamond smuggler. Both of them
end up in a jail, where Danny finds out that Solomon has found and hidden a
diamond. Solomon agrees to give the diamond to Danny if Danny helps him out to
find his family.
1. The
popular media is very interested in conflict diamonds because diamonds are one
of the best-known gemstones, which are used as decorative items since ancient
times. When people buy diamonds, they pay for rarity and history. ‘Conflict’ is
the essence of a story for media.
2. Naomi
Campbell is an English model who admitted in 2010 that she had received blood
diamonds from former Liberian ruler Charles Taylor during a visit to the Republic of South Africa to support the Nelson
Mandela Children’s Fund in 1997. Taylor was sentenced to 50 years in prison in
2012.
3. In the film ‘Blood Diamond’, Jennifer Connelly plays the
role of an American journalist, Maddy Bowen who has come to Africa to research
a big story on the illegal trade of diamonds found in conflict zones. She seeks
Danny’s help to find the criminals in the illegal diamond trade. Solomon finds
his family in a refugee camp through Maddy’s connections and also learns that
his son has been taken away by the rebels and forced to become a child soldier.
4. If there was no role for media, Solomon Vandy would not
have met his family ever.
6. Yes,
a story could be done in Mumbai. Mumbai has the world’s largest diamond bourse
(exchange) in Mumbai, the Bharat Diamond Bourse. In
2012, a customs report alerted the government that conflict diamonds are
finding their way into India for processing, and then exported to the US and
European markets.
If got a chance, I
would like to ask questions to the big personalities in Mumbai like Bappi
Lehri, Sachin Tendulkar, Neeta Ambani, etc. about the diamond jewellery they
wear. Are they aware of blood diamonds? If yes, did they ask for a certificate
of authentication while purchasing the diamonds that they are not conflict
diamonds? Do they know anything about the diamond bourse in Mumbai or the one
in Surat?
