Hotel Rwanda
3/4
poster

Details & Information from IMDB

Genre Drama
Year 2004
Duration 121 min
Rating 8.5 out of 10
Description: Ten years ago some of the worst atrocities in the history of mankind took place in the country of Rwanda--and in an era of high-speed communication and round the clock news, the events went almost unnoticed by the rest of the world. In only three months, one million people were brutally murdered. In the face of these unspeakable actions, inspired by his love for his family, an ordinary man summons extraordinary courage to save the lives of over a thousand helpless refugees, by granting them shelter in the hotel he manages.
Comments: I was fortunate to attend a pre-screening of this intense picture in San Diego this week. The film is one of the most gritty, intense,factual dramas in the past few years. Terry George, Don Cheadle, and all who were involved should be praised for their work. The Rwanda Crisis in 1994 was a horrific atrocity, but it must be made known to the world. Many people don't know about politics and Africa and other troubled nations throughout the globe.

It would have been easy for the crew to give a one-sided tale about the horror of war and fill a 90 minute picture with nothing but blood and guts. It would have been easy to "shame the world" by painting a picture of a negligent international community who has larger concerns than the Rwandan people.

But the crew of this film put together a film that will resonate for many years. It involved politics, culture, family, religion, race, and many other questions of ethics. It told the WHOLE story from all perspectives and made you see the HUMANITY.

This film is a must see for anyone who claims oppression or has an interest in international affairs. It was almost like watching a documentary. This was a real event, with real people, and real consequences. If more people knew about these atrocities maybe something could be done.

I am pulling for "Hotel Rwanda" to do well this awards season. It should at least get nominated for Director, Screenplay, Actor, Supporting Actress, and Picture. I haven't seen Ray, the Aviator, or Kinsey yet, but I must say Don Cheadle needs to be commended for his work. Too long has he been overlooked for his fine performances and he truly embodies Paul and takes the movie to new places.

Tell your friends to stay at the Hotel Rwanda, or at least fork up the ten dollars to see an actual work of art, instead of watching the trash on television.