Which Classic to Watch Tonight: Hotel Rwanda. (Movie Review)

Which Classic to Watch Tonight: Hotel Rwanda (Movie Review)

Directer: Terry George

Produced: Terry George

Writter: Keir Pearson, Terry George

Starring: Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo, Ahmed Panchbaya, Nick Nolte, Joaquin Phoenix, Jean Reno

Music: Afro Celt Sound System, Rupert Gregson-Williams, Andrea Guerra

Running time: 121 min.

Genre: Historical Drama

Hotel Rwanda is a 2004 historical drama film about the hotelier Paul Rusesabagina (played by Don Cheadle) during the Rwandan Genocide of 1994. The film, which has been called an African Schindler's List, documents Rusesabagina's acts to save the lives of his family and more than a thousand other refugees,

by granting them shelter in the besieged Hôtel des Mille Collines.

The film is set in 1994, during the Rwandan Genocide in which over 1,000,000 people, mainly Tutsi, were killed by extremist Hutu militias. Paul Rusesabagina himself was consulted during the writing of the film.

Hotel Rwanda starts where the tragedy begins. Rusesabagina is house manager of the luxurious Des Mille Collines. Along with checking in guests, he must use his wise business sense to buy supplies from a rebellious Hutu who strives to get Rusesabagina involved in taking a stand against the Tutsis. At first, Rusesabagina is in denial; afraid of getting involved and ignorant enough to believe that peace between the Hutus and the Tutsies is underway. Tension mounts when his neighbors are raided and beaten down simply because of their identity. When his own wife and children are threatened and the community is forced out of their homes, reality sets in for Rusesabagina. As chaos ensues, United Nations forces, previously stationed to help, leave the Rwandans with nothing but their own bruised will. Tutsi refugees turn to the Hutu Rusesabagina for help. Now, only one man can open his heart and his hotel to the hundreds of fleeing Tutsis and save Rwanda and its identity.

With Hotel Rwanda, Terry George crafts a script with delicate detail to expose the harsh reality of terror and hatred. This movie is about the fight; an ongoing battle for love, heritage, community and freedom. Hotel Rwanda goes the extra length beyond the death tolls, facts, and figures to a place that warms the heart. This film shines on the big screen not only as a heroic journey, but a way to channel the importance of peace in our world.

Movie Gooroo Rating: * * * * 1/2 (4 and 1/2 Stars)