Leo 'changed' after Africa

[Emma]

http://www.fanbolt.com/blog/nov2006/leonardod.jpg

Hollywood heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio said filming in Africa to make his new movie about "conflict diamonds" had changed him, underlining "what indescribable luxury we live in."

The 32-year-old actor told today's issue of German celebrity magazine Bunte he had met former child soldiers in Mozambique while making The Blood Diamond, including some whose arms had been hacked off.

"Without seeing all these things with my own eyes, I could not have imagined the extent of the misery," he said.

"Then it becomes clear to you in what indescribable luxury we live in in the West."

DiCaprio said he was amazed by the capacity for joy he saw while filming on location in Mozambique and South Africa, and said even victims of crime and disease put on unforgettable celebrations.

"This party spirit was a release from the hell in which many of these people live. Any Hollywood party pales in comparison," he said.

In The Blood Diamond, DiCaprio plays a South African mercenary caught up in the brutal 1990s civil war in Sierra Leone.

So-called blood or conflict diamonds are rough diamonds exploited by many rebel movements to finance their activities, mainly in mineral-rich Africa.

Click here for more! (http://www.theage.com.au/news/people/leo-changed-after-africa/2006/11/30/1164777691581.html)

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Also, be sure to enter a Blood Diamond Poster and an Amnesty Bracelet in our contest here:http://www.fanbolt.com/contestpages/index.php

[BellaBlack]

Aww I love Leo, he has a good :heart:

[olivetree]

I love Leo, as well. I think his heart is in the right place and we need more people like him in the world. Keep on, keepin' on, Leo! :)

[torypops]

awww bless him, so sweet :heart:
I seem to remember another star of this film being really moved by the experience.......I think it was Jennifer Connely.......I think she decided not to wear diamonds at the premiere.......can't remember details sorry but I'm pretty sure it was the same movie :confused:

[OC-Lover]

good to hear!

i like him a bit now.

[BellaBlack]

I didn't know that about Jennifer C..that's awesome!

[FISHIIIS]

Cool. I'm glad to hear that because he has experienced something new and is learning from his film career.

[lovefool.]

you can see he did change :lol:
im starting to like him now

[love it so<3]

awwwwwwwwwww that is soo sweet of Leo

[killer_cab]

Please don't randomly post. There is a place to do that. The Auditions Forum is for newcomers, and The Tabloids is for Off-Topic talks. Don't just post "hello"s. Sorry. I just don't want the mods to go off on ya.

[thatsfunny]

i saw that movie with my dad... it was so intense. definitely makes you think... and i think it's a really good think that leo's become more involved... when you become famous you can really influence people, both good and bad, as we've all seen...

[JillianMarie]

thats why everyone loves leo.. talented actor.. he's HOT.. and has half a brain.. ok a full brain .. definitely stands out among most other actors

[larsluckygirl88]

This makes me love him so much more...
I can totally relate to the idea of something changing your life...
I visited a hospital once, with sick kids from cancer...and I just fell apart, knowing how much we have and what we can expect to have whilst others do not, or won't know...

[cherv80]

I love Leo, as well.

[smp2006]

I really like him for this. Some people think its "overrated" and "just for attention," but I love when celebrities help out in Africa and other places in the world nonetheless.

[FoggyLondonTown]

Leo is awesome

[toastedbagel]

that movie was good. but leo...eh.

[Lorren]

That's really cool. It's rare that you ever hear anything good about a celebrity.

[kelloggdj]

Leo isn't changing much as far as global warming goes. I love how he takes his personal jet to all of his environmental events.

[tammyohagan]

I think Leo is great! Extremely talented. I almost hate to admit how many times I went to the theater to see Titanic.

And now he's going "green" as a way of living. I think its wonderful!

[isaacdny]

more actors need to be selfless and try to change

[edsandiego]

not Leo, please tell me not him!

[TES283]

http://www.fanbolt.com/blog/nov2006/leonardod.jpg

Hollywood heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio said filming in Africa to make his new movie about "conflict diamonds" had changed him, underlining "what indescribable luxury we live in."

The 32-year-old actor told today's issue of German celebrity magazine Bunte he had met former child soldiers in Mozambique while making The Blood Diamond, including some whose arms had been hacked off.

"Without seeing all these things with my own eyes, I could not have imagined the extent of the misery," he said.

"Then it becomes clear to you in what indescribable luxury we live in in the West."

DiCaprio said he was amazed by the capacity for joy he saw while filming on location in Mozambique and South Africa, and said even victims of crime and disease put on unforgettable celebrations.

"This party spirit was a release from the hell in which many of these people live. Any Hollywood party pales in comparison," he said.

In The Blood Diamond, DiCaprio plays a South African mercenary caught up in the brutal 1990s civil war in Sierra Leone.

So-called blood or conflict diamonds are rough diamonds exploited by many rebel movements to finance their activities, mainly in mineral-rich Africa.

Click here for more! (http://www.theage.com.au/news/people/leo-changed-after-africa/2006/11/30/1164777691581.html)

----------------------

Also, be sure to enter a Blood Diamond Poster and an Amnesty Bracelet in our contest here:http://www.fanbolt.com/contestpages/index.php

Amen. I am glad Leo is bringing this horror to light.

[wendymeows]

I just love him, he is a great actor and a wonderful person!:applause:

[gessica]

That's true, we live our lives never paying attention to the things surrounding us... and when we face other reality, not like our one where everything is clear and planned beforehand, we can see that everything is not that single-valued.

[miriama59]

I am more impressed by him every day. He has grown as an actor and is turning into an impressive man with values that I admire.

[ehdelfino]

Leo is effeminate--I simply can't take him seriously.

[Heather]

I wonder if this means Leo would be willing to give up his lifestyle. If he was so effected by the poverty in Africa, shouldnt he be doing something to make their lives better, as opposed to partying with Supermodels, flying private jets...and living in a mansion?

As much as I dislike Angelina, at least she is making the lives of those children better. Put some actions behind your words, Leo.