KarateParty.org - Hotel Rwanda (2004)

Genres

2004

Directed by
Terry George

Written by
Terry George, Keir Pearson

Cast

Don Cheadle .... Paul Rusesabagina
Sophie Okonedo .... Tatiana Rusesabagina
Xolani Mali .... Policeman

Desmond Dube .... Dube

Hakeem Kae-Kazim .... George Rutaganda

Tony Kgoroge .... Gregoire

Rosie Motene .... Receptionist

Neil McCarthy .... Jean Jacques

Mabutho 'Kid' Sithole .... Head Chef

Nick Nolte .... Colonel Oliver

Fana Mokoena .... General Bizimungu

Jeremiah Ndlovu .... Old Guard

Lebo Mashile .... Odette

Antonio David Lyons .... Thomas Mirama

Leleti Khumalo .... Fedens

I am supposed to be part of the desensitised generation, watching an endless stream of movies, music videos and games, each more graphic than the last, no doubt doomed to die a sad death in the worst kind of back alley pleasure parlour. So it came as some surprise to find myself deeply shocked and outraged as I watched Hotel Rwanda, a film set during the Rwandan Genocide in 1994. I have always been secretly proud of my desensitisation, and the corresponding inability of popular media to play me like a well-tuned fiddle, however sometimes the subject matter is just so powerful, and the concept so well executed that even I, the emotional robot must respond.

The events of the movie are based on the experiences of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager of the Rwandan Hutu majority during the 1994 Genocide, who managed to save a large number of people who were targeted for elimination. As the events of the Genocide unfold, and the capital, Kigali slides into murderous anarchy Paul is forced by his own humanity to save an ever growing number of Tutsi and others who were certain to die otherwise. He achieves this largely on his own resources, as the international community and United Nations prove either unwilling or unable to provide any real help. Through a combination of bribery, trickery, and lies he manages to hold off the militants until a rebel Tutsi army occupies Kigali. Any gambler would be proud to pull of such an audacious bluff.

Don Cheadle, an actor who had till this point usually played supporting roles in films that were not neither bad nor good was cast as the lead, a role in which he was eminently believable. This is the role that he will be remembered for, a role that dominates the entire movie; all other characters are subsidiary, despite the calibre of their respective actors. There have been some critiques about the wasting of the talent of Nick Nolte (the UN Commander) and that other Phoenix kid (some bum photographer), but such complaints seem to miss the point of the film, which follows one man, an African, who seeks to do what he can as his world is destroyed. (The story of the UN Commander has been made into a documentary that will be reviewed at a later date)

One thing that African films seem to excel at, and admittedly this is based on a small sample size, is the music. In the Anglosphere (and probably the West generally) we tend to have a relatively homogenised range of music, with a little national variation, but generally a certain amount of sameness creeps in. This tends to obscure the existence of a vibrant music scene in Africa, which seems to be focused more on musical ability that cheap technical tricks. Hotel Rwanda is no exception to this, the music is fantastic, even when it is used to deliver a message initiating the Genocide. Music it seems is often used for blatant propaganda in Africa, which is refreshing in its cheekiness.

I don’t see this movie as a history lesson, the events occurred but recently, and those who will likely see this film have every reason to remember the events in which it was set. It is valuable because it shows what can be accomplished when people stand up for what is right, for the lives of their fellow humans and refuse to let the overwhelming weight of circumstance dull them into inactivity. I would heartily recommend Hotel Rwanda to anyone, the story, the acting, and the music will hit most viewers deeply, in a way that they will not soon forget.

Discuss this article on the forums. (4 posts)