Blood Diamond - discussion guide

 
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Summary

Set in 1999 during the civil war in Sierra Leone, Blood Diamond shows us a country in a blood-ridden state. The Revolutionary United Front (RUF) is fighting the government for control of the diamond fields so they can purchase arms for the war. They terrorise the local tribes, capturing men to work in the diamond mines and forcing innocent boys to learn to kill for their RUF cause.

When Solomon Vandy’s (Djimon Hounsou) village is attacked by the RUF, he is captured and forced to work in the diamond mines. He finds a large pink diamond, which is very rare and valuable, and buries it in the ground to hide it from the rebels. The film follows Solomon’s fight to be reunited with his family, whilst carrying the burden of knowing where the buried pink diamond is. Many characters try to blackmail Solomon into showing them where the diamond is hidden, including Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio), a white South African, who is trying to get rich by finding conflict diamonds.

Within the film we witness Danny’s battle with morality, especially as he starts to befriend Solomon. American reporter Maddy Bowen (Jennifer Connelly) acts as Danny’s conscience as he fights to gain economic power, challenging him to not be so self-centred and do the right thing by Solomon. We witness the power money can have over men and the selfishness which results from wanting it. However, through the depiction of Solomon we learn of forgiveness, and are presented with a stark contrast to the self-centred lives of the money-hungry business men. Dia, his son, has been forced to learn the vicious ways of the RUF and become a child soldier. Solomon graciously acknowledges that Dia had no choice, and he accepts him back into his family with loving arms, forgiving him for rejecting his family.

Background

The civil war in Sierra Leone took place over a period of eight years, with the United Nations (UN) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) aiding in the final peace treaties between the RUF and the government of Sierra Leone at the end of 1999. The Kimberley Process was set up in 2000 to ensure that diamonds sold in the west were no longer conflict diamonds. However, as the film informs us on a closing title, ‘illegal diamonds are still finding their way to market.’

Blood Diamond was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Leonardo DiCaprio and Best Supporting Actor for Djimon Hounsou. Edward Zwick, who has directed films such as The Last Samurai (2003) and Shakespeare in Love (1998), is known for exploring thoughtful topics in his films. His latest projects include a yet to be titled piece, which follows a TV news personality investigating a terrorist-related murder of a reporter in the Middle East, once again highlighting current affairs.

Questions for discussion

1. How did the film make you feel? What specifically influenced you in this way?

2. What do you think the writer’s worldview might be?

3. How far do you think the characters Danny, Maddy and Solomon reflect the writer’s worldview?

4. Do you think the love story between Danny and Maddy masks the reality of the events in Sierra Leone?

5. What do you think the film is saying about morality? Do you agree with the film’s view of morality?

6. How does Maddy deal with issues of morality she is faced with (e.g. seeing families torn apart, people being killed, and the issue of the West’s desire for diamonds)?

7. What do you think the film is saying about suffering? How does the film suggest we can solve it? Do you agree? Why/why not?

8. To what extent do you think Danny’s ethical principles change throughout the film? What are some key moments?

9. What are the similarities and differences between Danny’s and Solomon’s views on what will make them happy?

10. Danny states: 'Sometimes I wonder, will God ever forgive us for what we’ve done to each other? Then I look around and I realize, God left this place a long time ago.’

How would you respond to Danny’s statement?

11. How does the film portray Solomon’s forgiveness for his son? Do you know of any person in your life that would offer you this kind of forgiveness? In what ways can Solomon’s actions be paralleled with the biblical story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32)?

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