HOTEL RWANDA

4 STARS - INSPIRING

One of the most haunting questions from World War II still is: “Where were the good people of Europe and the US during the slaughter of 6 million Jews?” The same question could be asked of all of us in 1994 when 1 million Rwandans were slaughtered in one of the worst genocides of the twentieth century.

“Hotel Rwanda” tells the true story of one brave man who stands up to the terror around him and saves the innocent lives of 1,200 of his neighbors. Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle) was the hotel manager of one of the most prestigious resorts in Rwanda when the President of his country was murdered and a calculated extermination of the Tutsi tribesman was perpetrated by the Hutu tribe. Both tribes had lived side by side for generations, but many Hutus held a long-standing resentment against the Tutsis for siding with the Belgian colonialists during their occupation of this African territory.

Paul Rusesabagina was not a brave man at his core, but he was a man of deep integrity. He ran his hotel with dignity and held his staff and his owners in high respect. He was also a man who loved his family deeply, sharing his struggles and joys with his wife, Tatiana (Sophie Okonedo). Like all of us when trouble comes, our human nature finds it hard to believe that it is as bad as it is. Paul tries to maintain order in the refined world that he knows.

But on the outside of his hotel, similar to Germany in the 1930’s or Bosnia in the 1980’s, the underlying evil that is rooted in hatred germinates and breaks forth like weeds following a rainstorm. Neighbors who have worked alongside each other for years suddenly are more than ready to betray each other, with Hutus referring to Tutsis as “cockroaches.”

The United Nations proves to be nothing more than a paper force with no peace-keeping capability. It isn’t that they don’t have the power to step in, but as Col. Oliver (Nick Nolte) states in his own exasperation, “the West doesn’t really care because you are only African.” To his credit, Col. Oliver is the only person who risks everything to help Paul Rusesabagina save the lives of his countrymen.

In two hours of one of the most remarkable films of the year, we witness the courage of Mr. Rusesabagina as he confronts his own fears and perseveres against overwhelming odds to save his family and the lives of people he reluctantly takes into his care. This modern parallel to “Schindler’s List” is as much about the transformation of one man as it is about the saving of a generation of people.

What is even more haunting than this trust story of monstrous evil is the conviction about our own lives and where we were during this disaster. As Americans, we think of ourselves as a compassionate and caring people. But our own self-centeredness – even amongst people of faith – is a frightening sin. We don’t know from the story what depth of faith the Rusesabanginas have, but Tatiana wears a cross around her neck. And indicative of Christian love, she never speaks evil of her enemies who surround her like pillars of evil. But it is hard to see this couple’s courage without asking forgiveness for our own complicity in looking the other way.

Discussion:

Why do you believe the U.S. did not intervene in the Rwandan genocide of 1994? What does this reveal in us? Did you speak up? Did your church?
It seems to be our nature to hate those who are not a part of our “tribe.” What do you believe is the source of such hateful disregard for other human beings?
The courage it took Mr. Rusesabagina to provide refuge came from a place far above the political machinations of this world. Do you have such courage? Why or why not?
The power to change the world is given to each of us in the opportunities of our lives. In what way are you bringing peace and blessing to our world?

________________

Cinema In Focus is a social and spiritual movie commentary. Hal Conklin is former mayor of Santa Barbara and Denny Wayman is pastor of the Free Methodist Church. For more reviews: http://www.cinemainfocus.com.