The subtropical coast of South Africa's southeastern KwaZulu-Natal province will stand in for the west African state of Sierra Leone in Leonardo DiCaprio-starrer The Blood Diamond, scheduled to start shooting at a coastal resort in the province on Feb. 4, reports Variety.
The Durban Film Office confirmed that pre-production for the Warner Bros. release is under way at a South Coast resort in the province, although local co-producer Moonlighting Films (Ali) remained tightlipped, citing contractual secrecy obligations.
The African adventure is set in Sierra Leone circa 1999, a time when the nation was in the midst of a horrific civil war. DiCaprio plays the role of a smuggler who specializes in the sale of "blood diamonds," also known as "conflict diamonds" -- the precious stones used to finance rebellions, privateers and terrorists.
When the smuggler encounters an indigenous Mende farmer whose young son has disappeared into the RUF's army of child soldiers, the two men's fates become linked.
Edward Zwick (The Last Samurai) will direct the film, co-starring Jennifer Connelly and Djimon Hounsou.
Source: ComingSoon
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