Press Release – A major motion picture chronicling Botswana’s rise to democracy, and starring David Oyelewo and Rosamund Pike.The hip downtown Roxy Hotel Cinema was the setting for The Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F.)’s exclusive first U.S. showing of A United Kingdom. The movie chronicles the early years of Botswana’s rise from poverty to become what is now the second largest producer of diamonds in the world. The movie, starring David Oyelewo and Rosamund Pike, will be released to the general public on February 10.
Honored guests included H.E. Mr. David John Newman, Ambassador of the Republic of Boswana to the United States, H.E. Mr. Charles T. Ntwaagae, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Botswana and Dr. Edgar Sisa, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Botswana to the United Nations.
D.E.F Board member Marcus ter Haar, and grandson of the films’ protagonists Seretse Khama (played by David Oyelowo) and Ruth Williams (played by Rosamund Pike) gave a poignant introduction to the film, recounting the emotional connection he has with the film’s characters and drawing an arc of the prosperity Botswana has seen in the 50 years since the movie’s end. “Through the ethical leadership and wise management of Botswana’s diamond resources by Seretse Khama and the country’s successive Presidents, our nation has thrived politically and economically as the oldest democracy in Africa, providing its citizens with broad based access to education, healthcare and world class infrastructure.”
Anna Martin, newly elected president of the Diamond Empowerment Fund, urges all members of the diamond industry to see this film. “Botswana is a perfect example to share with colleagues and customers alike how much Diamonds Do Good. This positive message needs to be the cornerstone of industry communications to the public so that a more balanced narrative surrounding diamonds can prevail.”
Sponsors of the screening included Signet (Kay Jewelers, Jared the Galleria of Jewelry, Zales), GIA and Fox Searchlight Pictures. To read more stories about the good diamonds do, visit diamondsdogood.com.
The Diamond Empowerment Fund was co-founded by Russell Simmons, De Beers, and other leaders in the diamond industry in 2007. To-date D.E.F has impacted over 2,000 students through its support of education and other transformative initiatives in global diamond communities. Visit diamondsdogood.com for more inspirational stories, and follow Diamonds Do Good on Facebook, and @DiamondsDoGood on Twitter, and Instagram.
