Review of Kinyarwanda (2011) by Roy S — 05 Feb 2011

My 2 Cent Review:

Like Paul Haggis's, Crash, Alrick Brown's film Kinyarwanda used multiple short story threads to paint a much larger narrative canvas on interconnected characters. Unlike Crash, with its one-note characters, subtle racial stereotypes, and contrived heavy handedness, Kinyarwanda was a warm breadth of fresh air full of a more truthful account of racial and religious reconciliation. In a world like today we need more films like this where grace, peace and joy wash over us. As we watch this country come back from hell and be redeemed we, the audience, believe that anything is possible. Kinyarwanda gives us a message that we all need and begs us to ask the question, "Can we forgive our enemies and are we willing to live alongside them and be reconciled with them?".

Alrick Brown made a brave choice when he decided to use Rwandan nationals instead of Hollywood actors to tell real Rwandan stories where they were solving their own problems. I appreciated the warm colors of the film's palette that made me feel refreshed. I appreciated the fact that the director really believes that he is making a film that could change the world. It could, if it was given a chance. Maybe I am a bit heavy handed and over zealous of my praise of the film, but after a week of some tough Sundance films that beat me over the head with despair and all that is going on in the news, I am selfish and want to watch more films like Kinyarwanda.