Bling: A Planet Rock

About "BLING"

On Tuesday, July 31st, in the first of a series of collaborative screenings, GenerationEngage, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Metro New York will show the film Bling: A Planet Rock at the Tribeca Grand Hotel to be followed by a question and answer session with the film’s Director, Raquel Cepeda and Executive Producer Irena Mihova.

To obtain an invitation for a free, private screening, please RSVP, RSVP@GenerationEngage.org or call Jason Page: (646) 792-8085. For more information click here.

BLING is a 90’ documentary film which focuses on the complex relationship between “blood” diamonds, conflict, the influence of Hip-Hop music and culture, and community development. Produced by VH1 Rock Docs, Article 19 Films and UNDP, the film features the participation of Hip-Hop artists from the US and Sierra Leone.

The objective of the film is not to shame people into boycotting diamonds. Instead, it is to raise a voice on behalf of the millions of diamond diggers and to help disadvantaged communities and entrepreneurs reach their full economic potential. Promoting conscious consumerism and using the power and influence of the hip-hop music, BLING tries to encourage buying "clean" diamonds.

Watch the trailer BLING will link the hip-hop generation in the U.S. with the residents of Sierra Leone in order to experience a community that has suffered atrocities at the hands of rebels, some as young as 4, from 1991—2001. Trailer: View

Since the official end of the Sierra Leone conflict in January 2002, an international effort has aimed to curb the illicit trade and smuggling of diamonds, giving way to a number of initiatives such as the Kimberley Certification Scheme and the UNDP Diamonds for Development Initiative (D4D).

Understanding and tackling the illegal exploitation of diamonds in Sierra Leone is an integral part of addressing the root-causes of violence and of stopping it from errupting again. The diamond trade in Sierra Leone has both funded the recent war and perpetuated it as all sides battled for control of lucrative mineral wealth.

The center of the BLING story from Sierra Leone is UNDP's "Diamonds for Development" initiative (D4D) that aims to accelerate development at the local level (firstly in the diamonds production zones) by supporting the local governance reform and proposing a new organizational scheme for diamonds production (including both small artisanal and international mining).

BLING also aims to keep Sierra Leone in the global spotlight as a successful UN peace story. The incurred attention coincides with the country’s preparation for the presidential elections of 2007, where UNDP will be playing a major role.

During the filming in Sierra Leone in July 2006, hip-hop artists Pall Wall and Raekown from the Wu-Tang Clan and reggaeton idol Tego Calderon visited diamond mines, refugee and amputee camps, as well as met with children who were victims of the war. The artists also met with top government officials, as well as local hip-hop artists. From the conversations with representatives of UNDP, UNAIDS, the EU and NGOs they learned about the history of the blood diamonds trade and its role in wars across Africa. The artists were introduced to all the new initiatives such as the Kimberley Process, D4D and the Diamonds Development Initiative (DDI - launched by Partnership Africa Canada, Global Witness and De Beers), the goal of which is to stabilize and regulate the clean diamond trade and enforce its role in development.

The experiences of the artists/unconscious consumers exposed a vulnerable side of hip-hop, which is rarely seen. The trip also affected the artists profoundly.

BLING has a unique style and tone, which aims to catch the attention of young viewers, encourage them to become responsible consumers and show that hip-hop has the potential to be a coalescing force of our generation.

Director: Raquel Cepeda,
Co-producers: Djali Rancher Productions, VH1, Article 19 Films
Distribution: worldwide TV, cinema, VoD and DVD distribution.
Expected release: December 2006