A Character Analysis of the Film: Blood Diamond (2006) Essay

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This study will analyze three central characters in the film: Blood Diamond (2006) by director Edward Zwick. By understanding the moral and ethical dilemma of illegal “conflict diamonds” being stolen and smuggled by Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio) there is an unethical and immoral business dilemma he must deal with through other characters he encounters during the Sierra Leone Civil War of 1999. Another character, Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou), is a native of the region that has been captured and forced into slavery as a diamond miner/laborer that invariably comes into contact with Archer after he discovers a large and rare diamond that he hides during his work shift. This aspect of the film opens the possibility of Archer slowly coming …show more content…
This is her main motive as loyalist for the African peoples, which acts as a spoiler for Coetzee’s illegal and exploitative business dealings in Africa. Solomon’s part in being a stakeholder under the local militias (by possessing the blood diamond) is part of the ethical foundation for his affect on the organization, as found in the exchange between Maddy about the profitability of history in America:
Solomon Vandy: So when people in your country read it
[her article about the war]
Solomon Vandy: They will come help, yes?
Maddy Bowen: Probably not. The vested interest of Solomon to seek out a buyer for his blood diamond is a major apart of the movie that involves a moral reason to sell the stone, which defines the way and manner in which he and Maddy are loyal to the African people. In the end, it was Danny who betrayed the Colonel so that Solomon and Maddy could bring the truth to the rest of the world. In this manner, he disavowed his allegiance to Coetzee through his own desire fro freedom with the help of Maddy and Solomon.

IV.Danny Archer was clearly acting against anti-colonial fair trade ethical standards by smuggling out diamonds not only taken by local slaves, as he is also instigating and supporting the destruction of Sierra Leone for this purpose. In my opinion, Danny is acting unethical against the standards espoused by Maddy and her anti-colonial fight against the exploitation of the African people through war and diamond