Hotel Rwanda (2004)
While there is some controversy surrounding the details of the story of Paul Rusesabagina and his wife, Tatiana, this film by Terry George remains a powerful depiction of real-life heroism. As manager of the Belgian-owned Hotel des Mille Collines in Kigali during the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, Rusesabagina is credited with hiding and protecting 1268 refugees, as well as his own immediate family.
The Rwandan Genocide is one of the darkest chapters of human history. In 1994, the population of the country was predominantly Hutu, and Hutu extremists consistently blamed all the country’s problems on the Tutsi minority. When a plane carrying President Juvenal Habyarimana (a Hutu) was shot down, a ferocious violence erupted that lasted for 100 days, and left an estimated 800,000 slaughtered. The Rusesabagina family faced great danger, because Paul (played by Don Cheadle) is Hutu, while Tatiana (played by Sophie Okonedo) is Tutsi. The refugees to whom they provided shelter were both Hutu and Tutsi, and Paul had to use all methods at his disposal – including negotiation, bribery and blackmail – to maintain the safety of the hotel and its occupants. Exploiting his position of influence within the community, Rusesabagina dealt with all sides involved in the conflict – including those perpetrating the violence – in order to ensure the survival of those in his care.
The film is deeply powerful – not least because its depictions of the defiance of Rusesabagina in the face of extreme violence play out against the clear inaction of the international community. Just as he must deal with local militia commanders, so he must also negotiate with UN forces who are prevented from intervening to protect life, by politicians safely outside the horrifying situation.
