HOTEL RWANDA 2004

            Hotel Rwanda is a historical drama film produced in the year 2004. It was a co-production between United Artists and Lions Gate Films and directed by Terry George. It was co-written by George and Keir Pearson, it stars Don Cheadle and Sophy Oknedo as Hotelier Paul Rusesabagina and his wife Tatiana. It is a film based on true events of the Rwandan genocide which occurred in the year 1994. The film  lets us follow the acts of Rusesabagina who tries to save his family and the lives of other refugees by offering them shelter in Hotel des Mille Collins. Hotel Rwanda highlights genocide, political instability and the repercussions of violence. In this analysis I aim at presenting the critical analysis of the of the movie and how it was acted, the use of colours in the movie, the flow of the of the shots in relation to presenting the political instability and the events of the genocide. I intent to use the film itself and the history books as my sources.

           The movie the genocide is a story that had to be told to the world and the best way to do this was through a movie. The political tensions between the two tribes of Rwanda which are the Tutsi and Hutu led to genocide. Paul Rusesagina is the manager of the Hotel des Mlle Collins which is a luxurious Belgian owned Hotel. He is a Hutu and his wife Tatiana a Tutsi. Their marriage is at risk and is threatened by Hutu radicals including George Rutaganda who supplies the Hotel with food staff and is a leader of interahamwe a deadly Hutu militia group. The political temperatures in the county rise following the killing of the leader of the Government. 

          The United Nations refugee camp is overburdened and more people are taken to the Hotel. The situation gets more violent and Paul has to wear many hats of not letting the solders in taking care of the refugee, ensure his family is safe and ensures smooth running of the Hotel. The UN peace keeping forces cannot take bold action against the genocide since they are not allowed to get involved into the situation.

          The film launched in 1994 during the genocide it is estimated that 800000 people who were mainly Tutsi were butcher by the Hutu radicals. The tension began in the early 1990’s when the Hutu who were the majority blamed the minor group Tutsi who were at the helm of the political and the economic sectors at the moment for misusing the powers to embezzle the funds and corruption. The war erupted on 6^th April when the plane carrying the president was shot down leading to his death. Paul Rusesagina uses his ability to save both the Tutsi and Hutu refugees in the hotel for 100 days. 

          The film is released 11 years after the genocide and it does a good job shading light on the horrific act that would have been prevented if the UN and the international powers were involve ed. The film however disappoints when Terry George clearly misses the opportunity to reveal to the world the political and historical pressure that resulted onto the war. George Terry achieved his intended goal as he dares to depict  difficult scenario that left the world shaken. Terry George achieved his intended goal. This film is persuasive and original as it uses real Rwandese refugee even though it was filmed in South Africa as the background music is umqombothi sang by the South African pop star Yvonne Chaka Chaka.Terry George must have done a good report as the film is in sync with historical facts.

Hotel Rwanda presents us with lessons on genocide. It presents to us an opportunity to reflect the value of human life. This film has the potential to touch people and make them rethink the value of human life

                                                      REFERENCE.

 Hotel Rwanda 2004

Bernett, M(2002). The Eyewitness to The Genocide