Customer Reviews

Bling

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Powerful and Provocative! This captivating film unveils the raw truth behind the diamond trade in Sierra Leone which elicits an eye-opening emotion that leaves some of hip-hop's most iconic figures shocked and saddened. After seeing Bling, you'll never think about diamonds in the same way ever again. I commend filmmaker Raquel Cepeda for giving the people of Sierra Leone an opportunity to share their stories to the world and for making those voices count.

A powerful film! The film calls on the hip-hop industry and America to take a hard look at the consequences of a society that values "Bling". It's an emotional, eye opening journey; especially for the 3 artists and 1 former child solder traveling to Sierra Leone. I highly recommend the film for a mature, worldly audience. The film is also an excellent educational tool for young adults. Despite some gruesome footage of the atrocities suffered by the people of Sierra Leone; it's full of hope for their healing process and uplifts the viewer with a witty sense of humor. The synopsis on the history of hip-hop and its increasing allure of diamonds is a nice added bonus.

If you don't own it, you should. I saw this amazing film at BAM in Brooklyn and I hope it gets wide release and exposure. It can really be used to educate the uninformed about some of the consequences of buying diamonds. Cepeda's film is both insightful and provocative in the way it exposes the links between hip hop culture and the devastating aspects of the diamond trade on the land and people of war torn Sierra Leone. Cepeda is able to creatively weave the stories of hip hop artists with those of the victims of the war; child soldiers, amputees, rape victims and the displaced. Watching the gradual understanding awaken in the minds of the hip hop artists Cepeda traveled to Africa alongside the gripping homecoming of a former child soldier is moving.

If you love hip hop, or you love Sierra Leone, or BOTH, you NEED to see this. Your children need to see this. The perfect sort of documentary for this hip hop generation. A great gift for a young, teen-aged Black male.

Good impression of Sierra Leone post-war. I like the way they they connected the Bling from the Hip-hop industry with the suffering of the people from Sierra Leone.

Must see, if you want to know more about blood diamonds en the story behind it.


cheers,
Bram

I ordered this movie for my students to learn a little bit more about the diamond trading and wars in Sierra Leone prior to reading the novel, "A Long Way Gone". The students LOVED this movie and were locked in from the first to last second. Great, eye opening documentary!

I'm so thankful this documentary has been released on DVD because I missed the original VH1 airing in early 2007. Both sustantive and stylish, this documentary is a must for:

1) any lover of hip-hop/rap music and culture
2) anyone who has ever questioned the value or relevance of hip-hop/rap music
3) anyone who has read Ishmael Beah's riveting memoir, A Long Time Gone
4) anyone who seeks greater awareness for our global community
5) anyone who has a desire to LEARN

I finished this documentary with an even greater respect for the artists who made the trip to Africa than I had before. Their willingness to travel to Sierra Leone was the ultimate illustration of "realness" and "respect." Definitely, I plan to utilize this documentary in my courses this fall.

I used this DVD after a curriculum on Blood Diamonds in Sierra Leone. My students were very engaged. Some parts had to be edited because of language.

Easily the greatest documentary I've ever seen. Important in it's teaching, it never stops moving you. All the people in this film are very down to earth, humble and honest. You can see their eyes opening to the horrors in Africa and they should be given a lot of credit for being part of this great film. Something tells me that Paris Hilton will never care where her diamonds come from, but these guys now do because they took the time to step out of the vanity that is the US. Guns for Diamonds. Little kids forced to kill until it becomes no big deal for them. Poor children walking in dirt without shoes or pants on, in some cases without arms. Poor souls who don't seem to be too down about it makes them the richest souls and God's favorites. What's that on your finger or around your neck? Where did it come from? Blood Diamonds are the jewels of the devil.

Raquel Cepeda is a brilliant writer and film maker. I have been a fan of her work for seven years. Bling is one of my favorite films of 2007. I've seen the film a total of four times and every time I've viewed it I learn and discover new and profound truths.
Lorraine West