Ever since Kanye told us not to buy them, conflict diamonds have been the talk of accessory lovers every where. Well sort of. Most people don't even know what conflict diamonds are, and if it wasn't for songs like "Diamonds from Sierra Leone," we probably still wouldn't hear about it.

Except now, thanks to a young filmmaker named Kareem Edouard, there is the beginning of something much bigger. Distributed by WGH Films Edouard's documentary short entitled Bling: Consequences and Repercussions has been screened in various festivals, talked about by Hip Hop bloggers and has even gotten press from NPR, Air America Radio, Elemental Magazine and XXL Magazine.

In developtment for two years before filming began, Bling is an eleven minute film that delves into the truth behind the diamond industry and how it is destroying many people's lives. The short intercuts footage of diamond mines and war scenes from Sierra Leone and images of rappers wearing diamond encrusted jewelery. The voiceover narration was provided by Hip Hop's "CNN newscaster" Chuck D. In between the images are interviews with various experts in the field. A couple of names: David Shimanov of Kinetics Jewelery who makes pieces for some of the rap scene's biggest names (50 Cent, Tony Yayo, Juelz Santana, etc) and Greg Campbell, author of the book Blood Diamonds: Tracing the Deadly Path of the World's Most Precious Stone. There are also some on-street interviews in which people are asked how much they know about conflict diamonds. Needless to say, not too many people know about what's going on.

Kareem Edouard took some time out to answer a few questions for me about his new acclaimed film short.

When did you start directing films? What have you worked on before this?

I directed my first film at 19. I am 24 now and I have done four short films, eight music videos, finished two documentaries and several commercials. You can see some of my work in the Reel section of my website WGH Films.

How and when did you get interested in the issue of conflict diamonds?

My interest in the conflict diamond issue started when a friend of mine (German emcee named Afrob) told me a story a couple of years ago. He said he had seen footage of a five-year-old coming out of a mine coughing so hard he couldn't breathe. The overseers told him to look up to the sky and he would be alright. As he turned they shot him in the back of the head. His young life was ended on the spot. He was of no value to them with bad lungs. I won't forget that moment.

Do you think artists like Kanye West (who make reference to the problem of conflict diamonds in their music) are really getting the message across to listeners and other rappers?

NO. Let me explain. Kanye's video was visually beautiful and relevant, but the song had nothing to do with conflict diamonds. He addressed them in the remix, but that version of the song got no play. He had the perfect opportunity and the platform to really make people aware instead he just confused them with conflicting messages. If you want to find out what is really going on, check out the film on the website free at WGH Films.