Mine

The movie I chose for my project is Blood Diamond. It was directed by Edward Zick, who also directed the Oscar winning film, Glory in 1989. This movie has impacted me in many ways by reminding me about the struggle that people have to go through in their lives and the many conflicts going on in the world, mainly in Africa. The movie helped me to realize the realities of war and human greed.
One scene in particular that really caught my eye and taught me about human beings is towards the end of the movie when Danny Archer, who is played by Leonardo DiCaprio, is fleeing the country with the Solomon, his son, and the diamond. Danny’s former leader comes to the village to save them by bombing it and afterwards he forces Danny and Solomon to find the diamond and give it to him. Danny is very frustrated because he wanted to keep it for himself, even though it rightfully belonged to Solomon. However, Danny complies and they lead the general to the diamond is buried. At the digging location, Danny decided to help out Solomon, even if it has to do partly with his personal gain, and they get away with the diamond. 
After this, they continue towards the evacuation point, where a helicopter will be waiting for them. On the way, he realizes that he has been shot in the side. He carries on for a while until they reach the mountain and realizes that he will not be able to go on and he should give the diamond to Solomon and let them go into the helicopter. His motive from the beginning of his journey to this point was to steal the diamond from Solomon and leave them to die. He realizes that he isn’t going to make it and he hands the diamond over to Solomon and tells them to go. After they are on the way home, he calls a reporter and gives her information that will help expose the blood diamond trade and help stop it. Upon reaching England, Solomon is able to sell the diamond and get his family back. Maddy is able to take pictures of the deal in action and expose Van De Kaap’s involvement in the diamond trade from Africa.
This movie taught me many things, but this one scene in particular showed me that one person CAN make a difference in the world. Danny’s sacrifice allowed Solomon to get his family back and he helped expose a problem in Africa that many people overlook. People are killing and selling their own people for money. It also showed just how much violence and fighting is occurring just for materials such as gold, diamonds, and silver. I think that many more movies should have messages like this that truthfully show what is going on in the world and the things people take for granted.