During 100 terrifying days in 1994, nearly 1 million people died in a horrific genocide in the African country of Rwanda. Many members of the Hutu began a calculated effort to wipe out the Tutsi minority. This unholy act of inhumanity was compounded by the fact that the world stood silently by and did nothing to intervene…

The film Hotel Rwanda is based on an actual event that occurred during that terrible time, the attempt of one man, a hotel manager named Paul Rusesabagina,  to save as many people as possible. Paul rises to the challenge by not being the kind of man the camera silhouettes against mountaintops, but the kind of man who knows how things work in the real world, who uses his skills of bribery, flattery, apology and deception to save these lives that have come into his care.

The acting is nothing short of superb, with Don Cheadle just about reinventing his career by delivering a sensational performance in the role of Paul, The hotel manager. He lost out on the ‘Best Actor’ award at the Oscars to Jamie Foxx, but receives excellent back up from Sophie Okonedo, who brings depth and humanity to the part of Tatiana, Paul’s wife. Nick Nolte, who puts all his real-life problems behind him, also plays a fine role, as a UN peacekeeper trying his best to help the stranded Rwandans, but restrained by orders from the top of the UN hierarchy.

The breathtaking acting is supported by the music, with typical 90’s African music played throughout, an appropriate feature. It brings a sense of location and time to the film, an essential ingredient. Hotel Rwanda is filmed realistically in a semi-documentary way. It is no Hollywood blockbuster, nor an action film that is based vaguely on a true story. It is a story about sincerity, integrity and truth.

The only niggling factor is that maybe the film should be in French, the native language of the Rwandans for added authenticity. But this is by no means an important or decisive aspect.

Terry George tries to bring a balanced account of the events happening in Rwanda and in short; he does. There is no blame on the UN for not helping the Rwandans earlier, the West for keeping their noses out or even the Hutu’s who carried out the genocide. The only blame given is to the Hutu leaders, who continually label the Tutsi’s as ‘cockroaches’ to their faithful followers. However, Hotel Rwanda gives you the chance to make your own mind up, feel your own emotions instead of being told how to feel. It’s clear to all that Paul (Cheadle) is the protagonist but we don’t feel as if we have to side with him, we just want to.

Hotel Rwanda is not only one of the best movies of the year; it is also the most important. The film works without meaningless special effects, formless action and vast digital armies, but works because Cheadle, Nolte and the filmmakers are interested in how two men choose to function in an impossible situation. It works because we sympathise with these men; we are moved by the film.

If you haven’t yet seen this film, then do. Fearless in its delivery, it will provoke stronger emotions in you than any other film this year. A must see, Hotel Rwanda is well… a masterwork.

www.hotelrwanda.com

More film reviews by Ben on LeftLion

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