*this review will contain spoilers*
In the film Hotel Rwanda directed by Terry George and released in December of 2004, we get to learn about the bloody Rwandan genocide that occurred in 1994. We follow the main character Paul Rusesabagina (played by Don Cheadle) as he tries to protect his family, business and community. We experience as Paul sees the violence in the streets and the brutal attacks of the Hutus on the Tutsis for the first time. He is worried for the safety of his Tutsi wife and neighbours so he transports them to the Hotel Des Milles Collines which he manages. As the attacks escalate and the Hutus get control of more weapons (guns, machetes, grenades, etc.) Belgium sends UN representatives to Rwanda to do their best to maintain peace between the two, however that is not nearly enough. Some soldiers are posted at Paul’s hotel where he takes his family to because it is the safest place for them after their neighbours get massacred in the streets. Paul does not expect this to last for too long as he believed the rest of the world will be shocked at what is happening in Rwanda and send help. This is not the case as even the United Nations are only instructed to keep the peace and not stop conflicts between the two sides. Eventually the UN forces begin rescuing groups of refugees from the hotel amongst them, Paul’s entire family . As the truck is taking off Paul jumps out of the truck in order to stay behind and maintain his hotel.
This part of the movie was very well done because of a few things. First, it provoked an emotion with the viewer of sadness, as we watched Paul put others' needs in front of his own and say goodbye to his family, not knowing when he will see them next. In this scene we also get to see what a truly courageous person Paul is, as his wife is screaming at him crying and begging him to come with her, Paul overcomes his emotions and decides to stay. He does this in benefit of the hotel and the rest of the refugees that were not able to get rescued.
This rescue mission however did not matter as the truck is ambushed on its route by Hutus and the truck is forced to turn around and go back to the Hotel Des Milles Collines. This leads Paul to resort to blackmailing the nation’s army general who ends up letting him leave the area safely along with the people in the hotel and aids them with crossing to safety behind the Tutsi lines.
I would rate this movie a 6/10 because it focuses on a very important event in history that should never be forgotten and bring attention to it. However, I would recommend other movies such as ‘Shake Hands With the Devil’ which are less Hollywood and more realistic in the way that it portrays the genocide.
