3 HOUR-LONG EPISODES
This Gemini Award winner explores the historical, cultural and political facets of the world’s most intriguing gem.
Diamond Road was broadcast on TVO, Discovery Times, History Television, Knowledge Network, Canal D, SBS-TV Australia and ZDF/ARTE. World Premiere at the International Documentary Festival of Amsterdam (IDFA).
INTERACTIVE WEBSITE
Developed as a companion to the series, Diamond Road Online – online from 2007 to 2012 – provided expanded content within an online environment where users could shape the story, receive content recommendations from other users, and be guided by an innovative Recommendation Engine. FIND OUT MORE
REVIEWS
“A brilliant three parter.” – Jim Bawden, Starweek Magazine (Toronto Star)
“A gripping picture of the world and the myth behind the much-loved stone.” – Erik Jensen, Sydney Morning Herald
AWARDS
Best Documentary Series at 23rd Annual Gemini Awards, October 2008.
Top prize (Platinum) for Documentary Feature at the 41st Annual WorldFest in Houston (for the feature length version of Diamond Road).
Selected for International Documentary festival Amsterdam (IDFA)
SYNOPSIS
Boring deep into its subject, Diamond Road seeks to understand the multiple meanings of a precious stone that is as old as our planet.
Every year, 24 tons of diamonds are teased from the heart of the earth. Once mined they begin a twelve-month journey through “the pipeline” – a vast, secretive network spanning five continents. By the end of the journey these tiny bits of carbon will have made a fortune for some and virtual slaves of others.
Diamond Road reveals the contrasting impact that diamonds have on those involved in the trade: In Sierra Leone… an impoverished miner; in India… a child cutter and a prominent businessman; in New York… a celebrity jeweller and a high-end dealer. Their stories are interwoven with that of a diamond industry leader who fights for transparency and fair trade. Each character is on a journey to realize a dream that centres on a stone which is itself a dream – a manufactured symbol of love, purity and the sublime. The result is a multi-layered portrait of a fascinating world, steeped in a history of intrigue, conflict, love and hope.
CREDITS
Produced by
ROBERT LANG
Co-Producer
CORNELIA PRINCIPE
Directed by
NISHA PAHUJA
Co-Director
MANFRED BECKER
Written by
NISHA PAHUJA
JOHN KRAMER
Director of Photography
DEREK ROGERS
Editor
DAVID KAZALA
Music Composed by
KEN MYHR
Sound Recordist
AO LOO
Research
DAVID OPPENHEIM
A Kensington Communications Production
in association with TVOntario, Discovery Times, Discovery HD Theatre, History Television, Knowledge Network, Canal D, SBS-TV Australia and ZDF/ARTE
Developed with financial assistance from Telefilm Canada