THE LADY IN TEL AVIV

Leonardo Dicaprio, was in South Africa filming The Blood Diamond with fellow stars, Oscar-winner Jenniffer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind) and Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou (In America). There was a blanket ban on all media since filming began; however, against all the odds, one story has emerged from behind-the-scenes. And a Tel Aviv grandmother is writing a book about it and the children in the film. A few days on the set of Hollywood movie on location in South Africa and back at school after the filming was over, the story follows 8 children who were cast as extras in the film. The story is about the 8 children and how “they won over the crew who spontaneously raised more than Rand 23,000 when they wrapped up shooting on the Wild Coast in April.” The Warner Brothers movie, filmed in South Africa and Mozambique, proved to be a major “money spinner” for local communities. Hundreds of extras found work playing refugees of the 1990s civil war. As David Macgregor wrote in an article that appeared on www.filmmaker.co.za, “The amputees were a crucial part of portraying the horrors that unfolded in the strife-torn Sierra Leone in the movie. During fighting between warlords funded by money from blood diamonds, hundreds of people had their arms and legs hacked off to prevent them from fighting.”

LUCK and a BLESSING

In one of the offices or on the trading floor at Diamond Exchanges worldwide -all transactions are concluded with a handshake and the traditional phrase: in Yiddish, mazel und brucha; or, in Hebrew, mazal u'bracha; or, the Arabic equivalent, mabruk. Symbolizing a commitment to keep one's word, the code of business ethics behind the words is what actually defines the global diamond business. Even in transactions involving millions of dollars, no formal contracts are written; the words and the handshake forming a verbal contract that is binding on all parties.

CHARL & DAVID In the book we will meet Charl Beukes of the Amputee Club of South Africa who recruited 28 amputees from the rural Transkei hills to be in the film; and David Macgregor, an idealistic young photo-journalist who described himself as, “I write about the forgotten people of South Africa.” Beukes is helped in the Lusikisiki area by field worker Andrew Mgoma, 36, who lost an arm in an accident, and prays every day that Beukes's request will be given the green light. The guide will also show what's new and what's happening behind the A director of @LiveWire Media, David Macgregor has spent more than 12 years in journalism working and freelancing for several South African publications. A staunch opponent of telephone journalism, Macgregor has earned a reputation as a traveling writer who gets the story and all the color that goes with life out there. A talented photographer and writer, his aims are to capture life at grassroots. Macgregor started a collective of writers under the banner @LiveWire Media - freelancing for the planet. "After all, life without adventure is no life at all!" Last month, on the film set with the amputees for a few days Charles and David captured a series of world exclusive pictures of the stars and the amputees. Described as aloof by the crew, Leonardo Di Caprio even made time to pose with the kids during a break in shooting. Other photographs include the stars of the film with the extras and one photo of Simon being held in the strong arms of Djimon Hounsou with Jennifer Connelly and Charl Beukes looking over his shoulder. “Despite a hectic filming schedule, the action was cut for several minutes while DiCaprio strolled over to chat to the star-struck youngsters. Smiling and patting them on the shoulders, he praised them for their hard work under trying conditions. Within seconds he was joined by Connelly and Hounsou, who scooped up a 10-year-old who had lost a leg in a car accident. When the children were called back to the set, even the most cynical crew realised that DiCaprio had a heart of gold.” is how it was described on www.sundaytribune.co.za But it is the photo of Simon and Charles that was featured in the article, “Hollywood Hero Comes to the Rescue,” that really is the heart of the story.

Premier of the Eastern Cape, Nosimo Balindlela

We will also meet the Premier of the Eastern Cape, Nosimo Balindlela, (a 59 year old former teacher) and learn about her Prosthetic Project. Although all 28 amputees were promised new limbs by the filmmakers, Beukes said they would only be ready by the end of the year - to coincide with the world premiere of Blood Diamond. So the premier stepped in when Warner Brothers was slow at keeping its promises. Balindlela is so committed to helping amputees in the province she pledged the first 1 million rand from her special projects fund. USD$1.00 = ZAR 6.7802 (South African Rand) Many of the amputees were disappointed they would have to wait six months. But, at the end of May, Beukes said measuring for new prosthetics for all the amputees and 24 others would begin soon. “We will also follow-up on the promise by Warner Brothers to give all the extras new limbs,” said Beukes, “but now, because of the Premier, it is not a problem if the money is only available at the end of the year. “The kids will be very surprised when we start measuring them up next week,” said Beukes. BRANDED DIAMONDS & DIAMOND JEWELRY A few of the brands that are associated with sightholders (in one way or another) include Nakshatra, Asmi, Sangini, Tria, Vera Wang Fine Jewelry, Cento by Roberto Coin, Satva by Mahendra Brothers, the Leo Diamond, PrincessPlus, Cupio, Divine Cut, Pristine Heart, Caressa, Lily Diamond, Criss Cut, Mystery Inside, Glitterati, Gili, Star129, Escada, Regent Cut, Queen of Hearts, Royal Asscher, Michael Beaudry, Natalie K, RItani, Princessa, Elexese, Spice Cut, Orro, Pro68. Forevermark, Crown of Light, Tattoo your Diamond, Amorosso, Cupid, Le Lumiere, Daniel K, Web Cut, Hearts on Fire, Movado, Dream, Renee Melangine, Exire, Tristar, Blond Diamonds, Elara, PureLustre, Isee-2.com, Lovemark, Damas Cut, Russian Princess, Canadia, Brilliant Rose, Fancy Color, Ashoka, Zales Diamond, Lovefire, Lazare Diamond, Scintilla, Ilanga, Lucida, Baby Phat, Kimora, Kristall Symphony, Maharajah, Arisia, and Kiah. THE CHILDREN - EXTRAS < Leonardo Dicaprio, is in South Africa to film Blood Diamond with fellow stars, Oscar-winner Jenniffer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind) and Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou (In America). It’s about eight young amputees from Bizana's Vukuzenzele Special School on rural Transkei who spent several days working as extras. The 8 children “won over the crew who spontaneously raised more than Rand23,000 when they wrapped up shooting on the Wild Coast in April. Simon Mpofana and 7 of his amputee schoolmates from Bizana’s Vukuzenzele Special School spent several days working with the Hollywood stars. Despite a grueling schedule, there was not a single complaint from any of them. They gritted their teeth and soldiered on despite aches and pains from their chafing makeshift prosthetics. HOLLYWOOD STARS IN THE MAKING 12/04/2006 - It was also an exiting few days for some of the children from SOS Children's Village Maputo in Mozambique - they have been acting as 'extras' for a new Hollywood film which is being shot near Maputo. Will some of the children who live at SOS Children's Village Maputo become Hollywood stars? Only time will tell as some of them now have the opportunity to be talent spotted! The 24 children, who were chosen at random by the film crew, have been travelling to the small village of Marracuene about 30 kilometres from Maputo to take the part of fishermen in the film. Luckily, it is school holiday time, so the children are not missing any schooling. The children will be 'on set' for several days over the coming couple of months. The movie, "Blood Diamond", is an action drama, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly and Djimon Hounsou. Although as an action drama, some of the storyline becomes a little violent, the crew and film Director, Edward Zwick have assured SOS Children's Villages Maputo that the children will not be involved in any way in any of these scenes. SOS Children's Villages Mozambique were contacted by the organizers of the movie after the latter had been in contact with the Ministry of Women and Social Services, who were aware of the various public performance put on by the children who live at SOS Children's Village Maputo. These performances include traditional dances and cultural activities which are performed for both their own entertainment and as a way of engaging the local community. SOS Children's Villages Mozambique are also famous nationally for the wonderful 'home grown' performance based on 'The Lion King" which was the centre piece for the opening festivities at SOS Children's Village Pemba back in 2002. For this performance, local children and SOS Children's Village community members came together to perform in a spectacular production which is still talked about to this day. The children have met Djimon Hounsou, who has promised to try and make time during the busy shooting schedule to visit the village. "I used to watch movies on the TV", said eight year old Bonamare. "I never thought that I myself could be in a movie! It's like a dream come true!" Unfortunately, due to the tight confidentiality surrounding the filming, no pictures are available of the children taking part in the movie - "You'll have to wait and see the movie!" quipped Fidelis de Souza and SOS Children's Village Maputo co-worker, who is accompanying the children when they go for shooting. THE CAST Set against the backdrop of civil war and chaos in 1990s Sierra Leone, "The Blood Diamond" is the story of Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio), a South African mercenary, and Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou), a Mende fisherman. Both men are African, but their histories are as different as any can be, until their fates become joined in a common quest to recover a rare pink diamond. While in prison for smuggling, Archer learns that Solomon - who was taken from his family and forced to work in the diamond fields - has found and hidden an extraordinary rough diamond. With the help of Maddy Bowen (Connelly), an American journalist whose idealism is tempered by a deepening connection with Archer, the two men embark on a trek through rebel territory, a journey that could save Solomon's family and give Archer the second chance he thought he would never have. Best known for playing the lead in the stage musical, Bombay Crush, Gauray Chopra has been added to the cast in the role of an Indian journalist, named Sanjay. Most of his scenes are said to be together with the stars, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Connelly. South African born Hollywood star Arnold Vosloo, known for his performances in “The Mummy” and ”The Mummy Returns”, has also joined the cast in the role of a commander. Stephen Collins (7th Heaven) recently joined the cast. Collins plays an ambassador. Ugandan, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine (“Africa's mega film star in the making”) auditioned and won a role in the film also. Michael Sheen will play the part of “a crafty diamond buyer who strikes a deal with Leo’s smuggler” in London. Nicola Breytenbach (South African super-model / Revlon Girl), returned to Cape Town from New York to make her acting debut in the film.(In terms of her contract she is not allowed to disclose any details about her part in the film.) The Warner Brother film is directed by Edward Zwick. "Blood Diamond" was filmed on location in Port Edward, South Africa, and has recently moved to its new location in Maputo, Mozambique, then it goes to Cape Town, South Africa before leaving Africa for filming in the business atmosphere of the city of London. href="mailto:keynet@shani.net" class="text">keynet@shani.net