The International Movie Database record for the film “Blood Diamond” lists the plot, taglines, relevant information about the film, and most of the actors. However, it neglects listing the single most important character that dictates the story, directs the action, and gives host to the central diamond itself: the environment. While the environment is never directly painted as a defining element in the film, multiple cinematic and verbal references identify the struggle as one that is dictated and controlled by the environment that encompasses the action. The film uses the environment as both a catalyst and equalizer to compare the duality of human power and corruption, and human "goodness" and strength. Several clips, contained in the blog, paint the environment-human relations as an incredibly important character in the film and serve to further elucidate the observers understanding of both the film and the role of the environment in the global diamond trade.
Authors Note:
We were planning on using multiple stills throughout the blog to further the reader's visual understanding of the topic. However, the DVD is encrypted with a security programming that makes all screen shot (or other attempts at taking pictures) look like the one below. As such, we won't be able to use stills from the film and will have to stick with images found online.
