Hotel Rwanda is the powerful story of hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina’s attempts to protect his family and 1,200 refugees during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. We watch him work as the hotel manager before the genocide begins, earning favors with international travelers and Rwandan leaders through exceptional service. We see his terror as he sees a violent Hutu mob enter his street and abduct his Tutsi neighbors. We witness his desperation as he and his family flee to the “Hotel Milles Collines” in the hopes of finding some measure of safety. As the genocide becomes increasingly worse, he harbors over 1,200 refugees at his hotel. We share his fears when army officials raid the hotel and we shake our heads in disbelief when we witness the United Nations evacuate only expatriates, leaving many Rwandans to their fate. Finally, we share Paul’s hope as he and his family cross the front lines and join a large group of Rwandans as they leave the country. While they must leave their country, they leave with (the majority of) their family.
In this film, the theme is self-sacrificing care for others in the midst of extreme brutality. This theme is clearly present in this film, as Paul Rusesabagina cares for as many as he can while over 800,000 are killed outside the hotel walls, at an average rate of about 5 people per minute for 100 days (Rusesabagina). Because he is Hutu, Paul could have fled the country, or participated in the genocide, but instead he courageously and selflessly put himself at risk. This theme is universal, and transcends time and geography. He is Paul Rusesabagina, and he is Corrie ten Boom, and he is Harriet Tubman, and he is even (to a lesser extent) a reflection of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice. Hotel Rwanda is more than the story of a man, or a family, or a nation in conflict, but is the story of our humanity in the midst of inhumanity.
"Paul Rusesabagina: I am glad that you have shot this footage and that the world will see it. It is the only way we have a chance that people might intervene.
Jack: Yeah and if no one intervenes, is it still a good thing to show?
Paul Rusesagabina: How can they not intervene when they witness such atrocities?
Jack: I think if people see this footage they'll say, "oh my God that's horrible," and then go on eating their dinners."
In handling such a difficult and emotional subject as the Rwandan genocide, director Terry George faced a daunting task. He could have created an extremely graphic, violent film that showed the full brutality of the genocide, but he would have lost a significant amount of his audience. Conversely, he could have trivialized the subject matter by focusing so exclusively on the Rusesabaginas that the viewer is unaware of the horrors occurring outside the hotel walls. Instead, he manages to convey the brutality of the genocide through his actors’ raw emotion rather than raw imagery. The director’s sensitive handling of the subject and the actors’ great performances fulfill the canonical requirement of excellent realization.
This film addresses both the critical thinking and global perspectives general education requirements. It challenges us to think globally, avoiding the lack of international interest that allowed the global community to witness such atrocities. For Christian viewers, it also brings up religious questions as it challenges us to ask about God's involvement (or rather seeming lack thereof) during the genocide. Every student at SNU should watch Hotel Rwanda because it calls us from complacency, challenges us to care, to actively be engaged in and concerned for our world.
I chose this movie because ever since I first watched it my freshman year of high school, it has been my standard for powerful films. Even though I have watched it many times, my heart still aches as I watch the tribulations they went through. This film is unparalleled in its consistently moving impact.
Works Cited:
Rusesabagina, Paul. Paul Rusesabagina, No "Ordinary Man" Faria Chideya. 6 April 2006.
----------------------------------
Photo from:
http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/movie/hotel_rwanda/20.jpg
No comments:
Post a Comment