Nothing Lasts Forever (UA-13+)

In the drama-filled documentary "Nothing Lasts Forever," directed by Jason Kohn, the mystery surrounding diamonds is mined for their mythology. The movie reveals that although diamonds originate from the earth, they are actually human inventions since they are only as desirable as the illusions they carry. It does this by fusing historical research with recent discoveries. Kohn elaborates on this concept by concentrating on the creation and sale of synthetic diamonds, also known as diamonds created in laboratories. These synthetic jewels, which are nearly identical to their natural predecessors, are a disruptive force in the gemstone industry. What are diamonds worth if they aren't geological rarities? The study is made more intriguing by a string of journalistic coups, such when Kohn secures access to a factory in India that combines synthetic and natural diamonds. The interviews, though, are this movie's most enduring accomplishment. In the style of Janet Malcolm, a journalist for The New Yorker, Kohn makes the wise decision to stand back and let his more dubious interview subjects hang themselves. This is especially true of Martin Rapaport, an industry heavyweight eager to brag about how women often mistake the cost of their jewellery for a measure of their self-worth. It's interesting to note that Kohn occasionally cuts between Rapaport's tirades and the visuals that most likely inspired his mistaken opinions: the original De Beers adverts that initially popularised the idea of diamond engagement rings. Although it isn't particularly surprising that marketing strategies are based on myths, Kohn makes a significant contribution by combining his debunking of the diamond myth with fresh research on how the sector is changing (and stagnating).