Hotel Rwanda touches audiences with an important political
message
Blake Hinton / Reviewer
Films that deal with historical tragedies in which the
United States either ignored or had a part in can take on two
different tones. A good example of the wrong way is a film
like the pretentious "Salvador" by Oliver Stone.
Using his common melodramatic tendencies, Stone wanted to
point his finger at the audience and shame them for not
responding to the tragedies that happened in the area many
decades ago.
Thankfully, there are examples of films in which real
tragedies are handled with dignity and power. The
release of the powerful "Hotel Rwanda" is an
example of that kind of film.
The plot of the film is based on a true story dealing with
the 1994 genocide of the Tutsis by the Hutus in Rwanda
where a million people were slaughtered within a
hundred days. The plot follows the life of a real man, Paul
Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle), manager of a local hotel. Paul is
happily married to his wife Tatiana (Sophie Okonedo) and his
business is going quite well. He is a smooth
businessman; therefore, he has great relationships with
everyone around him. This even extends to the head
general of Rwanda's army.
Yet, all is not well in Rwanda. Tensions between the Hutus
and Tutsis are boiling over. Things turn from bad to
worse when the Hutu militia turn to the streets and start
slaughtering Tutsis left and right. Some of the scenes
in which men, women and children are hacked to death with
machetes are extremely hard to watch.
The remaining Tutsi refugees come to Paul for help. His
hotel is being protected by the United Nations so they can
hold up there with little chance of being hurt. Yet,
things get worse for Paul when the United States along with
every other big power, pull out of the United Nations leaving
the country to descend into chaos. Suddenly, Paul goes from
hotel manager to savior as he must wheel and deal with the
Rwanda army and other officials to keep his hotel and the
refugees inside protected.
This is an important movie to see, and that's not just
because it's a great film. This is a political film
at heart, and like all political films it has something to
teach you. If someone has never heard of the Rwanda
genocide or knows only a little about it please take the
time to see this film. While it is not the best historical
document as to what happened, it is still a moving and
enlightening document about a real tragedy. Also, this
modern day Oskar Schindler is something to behold. Most
people have probably never heard of this person named
Paul, which is sad because his story is absolutely
fascinating.
Another fascinating and great aspect to the film is the tone
that the film takes. On one hand, it is made perfectly clear
that the United States did not care about what happened in
Rwanda and stood by as a million people were
slaughtered.
Yes, this film is not a diatribe. It does not want to shame
the audience but rather deliver a powerful visceral punch.
There are shocking scenes that are meant to be shocking, but
it's countered by the strong relationship between Paul
and his wife. This is a story just as much about them as to
what is happening outside the hotel walls.
Thankfully, we have two lead performances that are up to
this task. If one has already looked at the Academy
Award nominations one would notice both Cheadle and Okonedo
have been nominated. They deserve this. Cheadle does a great
job of tackling a complex character who has two
distinct sides both fighting for control. One is the
hotel manager who just wants the comfort of the hotel
restored and the other is the emerging position of
rescuers that have been thrust on his lap. Okonedo also does
a great job and steals the movie every scene she is in.
It is because of her that the story of their relationship is
powerful and important.
Another part of the film that has to be greatly complimented
is the screenplay. The script, especially as things are
leading up to the slaughter, is consistently suspenseful.
Some may say that there a few scenes that are created
for dramatic conflict, yet even if this is true the film
never stumbles on them. The movie consistently hums
along going from a surprising amount of humor to terror in
the next instant. One must give the screenwriter credit
for placing the film firmly in Paul's POV.
This is a really great film and one of the best of the
year. It is consistently engaging, powerful, graceful
and more specifically important.
Contact Blake Hinton at pendulum@elon.edu or
278-7247.
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