DJIMON HOUNSOU HONORS AFRICA

Blood Diamond star Djimon Hounsou honors being African by bringing the continent’s issues to the screen.

Djimon Hounsou grew up in Benin, a country in Western Africa so to have the opportunity to tell the story of a South African fisherman forced to mine for diamonds by the militia in Blood Diamond was an honor for him.

He talked about being in a movie about his home.

“I’m from Africa and obviously touched by so many problems throughout the continent and this film is very powerful because it deals with the issues, not just conflict diamonds but it also deals with the issues of a child soldier, the refugees and the level of corruption.”

While in South Africa during his free time Djimon visited the SOS Children’s Village and was heart broken by the experience of what he saw there.

“It was heartbreaking. I mean what is it to tell other than the fact all these kids are so deprived. And again more than the kids, I was so moved by the people that are taking care of those kids. It’s a dedication. It’s almost an impossible job because you day in and day out have to reach out to people left and right for people to endorse and support and donate because that’s how they live. They live with donations from left and right to take care of those kids and you can imagine the amount of love that’s there.”

Blood Diamond opens Friday in theaters.