Few films have captured the horrors of real-life events as powerfully and accurately as Hotel Rwanda, which was released in 2004. It is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of ethnic hatred.
Press the top left play button on the above feature image to watch the trailer for the film.
Directed by Terry George, Hotel Rwanda chronicles the story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who saved the lives of over 1,000 people during the Rwandan Genocide of 1994.
The genocide, which occurred between April and July of 1994, claimed the lives of nearly a million people in a span of just 100 days. The conflict pitted radical elements of the Hutu ethnic majority against the Tutsi minority and moderate Hutus, resulting in mass killings, rapes, and unimaginable brutality.
Against this backdrop, the film portrays Rusesabagina, played by Don Cheadle, as a reluctant hero who uses his position as the manager of the Hotel des Mille Collines to provide shelter, food, and protection to Tutsi refugees.
Cheadle’s performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, while Sophie Okonedo’s performance as Rusesabagina’s wife, Tatiana, garnered her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Nick Nolte plays the role of Colonel Oliver, a U.N. peacekeeper who, like Rusesabagina, is frustrated by the world’s indifference to the unfolding tragedy. Nolte’s role was inspired by the U.N. force commander Roméo Dallaire, a Canadian who wrote a book, Shake Hands with the Devil (also made into a movie) about his experiences during the genocide.
The film also stars Joaquin Phoenix and Cara Seymour as journalists covering the terrible events.
Moral Dilemma
The film’s dedication to accuracy extends to its depiction of the international response, or lack thereof, to the genocide.
Hotel Rwanda also highlights the moral dilemma faced by those who were on the ground, witnessing the atrocities but unable to prevent them. It recreates the atmosphere of chaos and fear that permeated Rwanda at the time.
The film relies on firsthand accounts, interviews, and extensive research to recreate the events as faithfully as possible.
Hotel Rwanda also captures the complexity of the human experience during times of crisis. It doesn’t shy away from depicting the moral ambiguity that can arise when survival instinct clashes with the desire to help others. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of bearing witness to history’s atrocities and the consequences of global indifference.
As for Rusesabagina, he recently ran afoul of the Rwandan government, which accused him of terrorism and jailed him in 2021 after what his supporters said was a sham trial. Following an international outcry, he was released in March 2023 and now lives in the United States.
See this 14-minute documentary film about Rusesabagina and the genocide made by the YouTube channel Forgotten History below.