Hotel Rwanda

I had such wonderful accolades about this film, so I was nervous of watching it, especially with the subject matter of the Rwandan genocide, and the fact it is based on a true story.

Hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle - with a well deserved Oscar nomination) is a family man who helps run a Belgian owned hotel in Rwanda. When the trouble gets bad the head manager pulls out and Paul is left in charge. He has to bribe officials to let his family and neighbours live because they are from the wrong ethnic group, or want no part in the upcoming civil war. To help out the UN Paul takes in some refugees into the hotel, and all the white guests are going home. This makes for some harrowing scenes as local orphans are torn from the arms of nuns as they are sent home. Up to 1000 people, both Hutu and Tutsi stayed in the hotel to escape the genocide and Paul had to use all his favours to keep them safe and get food for everyone, before they could be evacuated. The UN were powerless to help and the rest of the world turns its back on the country.

The film has some quite emotional and harrowing moments, plus one incredibly funny one that is borne out of the tension. The movie is inspiring and I am keen to find out more about the UN/Western cock-ups that let such a tragedy (a million people were murdered) happen.

9/10