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By Christopher J. Troilo

Director Ed Zwick?s ('Glory,' 'The Last Samurai') latest outing 'Blood Diamond' is intense, horrific, and emotionally disturbing, and it is a film that all who can see, should.

A blood diamond (also known as a conflict diamond), is one that has been mined in a war-torn country, usually by means of slaves, in order to fund brutal and costly struggles. This is exactly the situation the West African country of Sierra Leone found itself in when the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) waged a bloody civil war against the government starting in 1991.

'Blood Diamond' is set almost a decade after the war and follows the path of a slick diamond smuggler (Leonardo DiCaprio), a civilian forcibly separated from his family (Djimon Hounsou), and an optimistic journalist (Jennifer Connelly). Together the three search for an enormous 200-carat diamond which translates into something for each of them: quick money, reunification, and exposure into the illegal trade respectively.

As I stated right from the beginning, 'Blood Diamond' is not an easy watch, due to the graphic portrayal of the horrible atrocities committed while this fighting ensued through Sierra Leone. One of the primary focuses of the film is on children who are brainwashed into joining up with the RUF and forced to execute innocent civilians at the early ages of eight or nine. These sequences are heavy and meant only for mature audiences. However, it is a reality that should be neither forgotten nor ignored.

The film itself is a work of art. It holds a very delicate balance of beauty and sadness by presenting the landscapes of the African countryside by sunset accompanied by tribal music, as well as the deep, heart-wrenching despair of all those affected by war. Leonardo DiCaprio stands out especially in his role, one which should garner him a Best Actor nomination.

After screening the film, I was given the opportunity to talk with Zwick about his film and the current status of the diamond industry, especially the stones which are mined illegally and sold abroad today. The method by which this is usually achieved is covered quite well during the film.

Zwick first acknowledged very quickly that one of the greatest problems in the market today is the fact that it is flooded with unaware consumers. Say the phrase 'conflict diamond' to them, and you?ll get a blank stare. The goal of 'Blood Diamond,' which it succeeds at, is to make would-be diamond buyers want to think about and question the origin and history of the precious stone they are seeking before making a purchase.

Today, there is a method in place known as Kimberley Process which is meant to confirm to buyers that the diamonds being sold to them were produced from a non-conflict zone.

With this as their ammunition, the diamond corporations, in conjunction with the release of 'Blood Diamond,' have spent $15 million in order to market the idea that 99 percent of the illegal diamond trade is in the past.

The Government Accounting Office on Sept. 27, however, said that conflict diamonds may still be entering the United States.

As Zwick notes, the Kimberley Process is still only voluntary and self-governed. In order to become

completely effective, the process would need to have some component of accountability put into place.

Regarding which side to trust about this issue, Zwick offers that he always tries to rely on 'those who (research) as an act of conscience and not as an act of profit.'

Upon seeing the film, there is no doubt that many viewers might waiver on whether or not they ever wish to purchase these gems again.

There are ways of procuring conflict-free diamonds and Ed Zwick offers a solution to all those who wish to educate themselves completely before buying. Through Amnesty International?s Web page, http://www.amnestyusa.org/diamonds/, the public can browse through page upon page of information concerning how to ensure if a stone is legal, and have complete access to a Diamond Buyers Gbwc_superusere.

'Blood Diamond' is, of course, not without some cinematic short-comings, as audiences may find it a bit on the long side, or containing somewhat stereotypical characters. These types of criticisms should be ignored in light of the message this movie carries.

This film is an important cinematic experience, which understands the only way drastic change for a better world can happen is through education, and 'Blood Diamond' takes a giant first step in that direction.

9.7 out of 10

Questions and comments to the writer are encouraged. He can be reached by e-mail at