Review of Hotel Rwanda (2004) by Emmanuel T — 01 Jan 2012

Hotel Rwanda tells a true story about a hotelier named Paul Rusesabagina, who struggles to rescue his fellow citizens from the deadly ravages of the Rwandan Genocide, along with protecting his beloved wife Tatiana and three young children. This film is based on real life events taking place in Rwanda during the spring of 1994.

The film starts off with introducing its audiences to both Paul Rusesbagina, and his family. They are looked upon as good people. Inocent people. Then-we are introduced to some of the other characters in the movie. Most of the characters are likeable and looked upon as the "good" people. But soon, all hell breaks loose when tension between the Hutu and Tutsi people begin a frightening war in Rwanda. Paul is Hutu, his wife is Tutsi-but of course, they do not hate each other. In fact, they love each other very much. Anyway, Paul and his family begin to witness Tutsi people being arrested for no reason. Paul's wife tells him to find a way of stopping this, but he knows better. There's nothing he can do. Soon, Tutsi people are found dead on the streets like garbage. The Tutsi's become afraid of living in their homes, which is not a safe place anymore. So they take refuge in Paul's hotel, he accepts them (even when they have no money to offer). Together, more, and more people are brought into the hotel-leaving no more rooms behind. But now, "The Red Cross Foundation" bring helpless orphans to the hotel as well. Paul allows it, despite the tension being built up by so many Tutsi's living in his hotel. In only a one month period, an estimated amount of one million people were savagely murdered-being left on the street for everyone to see. While all this happened, the rest of the world managed to look away. This film manages to hold the political details involved with the history on this genocide, the people of Rwanda, the brutal massacre, and it brings a strong message of hope-all without boring its audience. Powerful acting is involved as well, especially from Don Cheadle who plays Paul-and Sophie Okonedo who plays Tatiana. This film is a great example of how racism can lead to losing the lives of millions.