Review of:Hotel Rwanda (2004)
Director: Terry George
Rating:PG-13 for violence, disturbing images and brief strong language.
Starring: Don Cheadle, Djimon Hounsou, Nick Nolte, Joaquin Phoenix, Sophie Okonedo
Throughout history, there have been many instances where one group of people has tried to annihilate another. In World War 2, it was Hitler and his Nazi regime trying to purify the population by eliminating people of Jewish decent. Even more recent than that was the genocide that took place in Bosnia reportedly at the hands of Former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosovic. In the film Hotel Rwanda, the atrocities of man continue, as we are witness to genocide between the Hutu and Tutsi people of Rwanda in the year of 1994. It was a bloody conflict that within three months left close to a million dead in its wake.
Actor extraordinaire Don Cheadle brings the true-life character of Paul Rusesabagina alive in this chilling tale. Paul worked with pride at the four star hotel Des Milles Collines in Kigali, and was the hotel manager for the establishment with pride. It is here that he came to attain the friendships, and most importantly, future favors with people of importance.
We are brought into the film at the onset of what is about to happen, with the soon to come genocide as an eerie backdrop for the politeness of Paul Rusesabagina. Everything seems fine, but it isn't until Paul takes a ride with the hotel driver for supplies that we see that tensions are high. It sets the mood for the rest of the movie, and gives us insight into why things are about to boil over.
Now maybe there needs to be a bit of explaining so that the full nature of this crime can be taken in‚ and absorbed to the depths that it deserves. It seems the Hutu's, who were and are the majority, at one time‚ were forced under the banner of the Tutsi during the occupation of the Belgium government. This forced division between two peoples who were virtually the same, was fuel for the fire. The Hutu majority, after the Belgium’s had been forced out, felt it was time for retribution on the Tutsi minority. The Tutsi minority, seeing its power and fortunes wane, wanted to keep control of what they already had. It was a recipe for disaster.
The film, although it is about a horrible atrocity, keeps the gore to a minority. So much so that I would have no problem taking a child of ten to see such an important film. I like the fact that the Director chose this path. It gives the story and its actors a chance to bring the story out one hundred percent.
But the most important thing about this film is the divisions that created the problems in the first place‚ and the unique chance we have with it to talk about Black history in a very real way. The film brings up many important topics‚ and one that sticks out like a sore thumb to me is the division of a people. You see‚ the Hutu’s and Tutsi were no different than I am my to other African-American brothers‚ but they allowed small differences to separate them. It reminded me to always think about what connects us instead of disconnects us.
Another sticking point in the film is the fact the world seems to have turned its back on these people. When Col. Nick Nolte as the United Nations presence is pulled out he tells you exactly why he thinks they are doing it. Is it because this is an African nation‚ and that the majority of the people there are of a darker color? It is a question you will ask yourself while viewing the film‚ and a discussion point that can be brought up again and again.
History does at time repeat itself‚ and if we don’t examine the causes of our failures when we have the opportunity to do so the first time‚ we might be destined to repeat them again. It could be a hard lesson to learn. This film is recommended highly.
P.S.
I would be remiss if I didn't include some references to articles or information so that more could be learned about this atrocity. We Never want this type of atrocity to repeat itself, and the best way to counter those types of events is in educating ourselves about how they came about. So here it goes.
The Human Rights Watch
http://www.hrw.org/reports/1999/rwanda/‚ and
PBS
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/evil/
