~ Hotel Rwanda ~A GEM of a Movie
Once in a blue moon, an unforgettable movie comes along and takes your breath away. Hotel Rwanda is one such picture. Filmed in documentary fashion, this movie is a refreshing change from your typical Hollywood blockbuster. Thank God for that.
It is 1994 and Rwanda is experiencing one of it worst ethnic unrest between the Hutus and Tutsis. The story follows the real life account of Paul Ruseabagina (played by Don Cheadle), a house manager, who transforms the hotel into a makeshift refugee camp, saving over a thousand people through his connections while in the meantime, squeezing the last drop of whatever resources left in the hotel. He begs, bribes, spin stories and negotiate in spite of the circumstances to 'buy' the lives he was trying to protect. While doing all that, he somehow found time and perspective to romance his wife in a makeshift wine-and-dine session on the hotel roof-top. (Awwww)
In a particularly poignant scene, Paul repeatedly struggles with his tie (throughout the show, he is well- dressed and portrays a picture of calm and authority despite of the chaos) only to collapse in desperation, allowing his emotions to get the better of him. At this point, I have to say the great acting by Don Cheadle digs into your heart.
While the genocide wiped out more than a million lives over a short three months.. the atrocities went largely unnoticed in the western world, abandoned by those with the power to help. Depending on how you look at it, this could be a tragic story or one of hope and courage of a few rare individuals. To me, it is a potent-mix of both and that's what makes it a compelling watch.
It is 1994 and Rwanda is experiencing one of it worst ethnic unrest between the Hutus and Tutsis. The story follows the real life account of Paul Ruseabagina (played by Don Cheadle), a house manager, who transforms the hotel into a makeshift refugee camp, saving over a thousand people through his connections while in the meantime, squeezing the last drop of whatever resources left in the hotel. He begs, bribes, spin stories and negotiate in spite of the circumstances to 'buy' the lives he was trying to protect. While doing all that, he somehow found time and perspective to romance his wife in a makeshift wine-and-dine session on the hotel roof-top. (Awwww)
In a particularly poignant scene, Paul repeatedly struggles with his tie (throughout the show, he is well- dressed and portrays a picture of calm and authority despite of the chaos) only to collapse in desperation, allowing his emotions to get the better of him. At this point, I have to say the great acting by Don Cheadle digs into your heart.
While the genocide wiped out more than a million lives over a short three months.. the atrocities went largely unnoticed in the western world, abandoned by those with the power to help. Depending on how you look at it, this could be a tragic story or one of hope and courage of a few rare individuals. To me, it is a potent-mix of both and that's what makes it a compelling watch.
posted by compassioNAT at 11:23 AM
1 Comments:
chris,
watch it soon before they stop showing . its been running here for a while. Racing strips huh? the idea of a zebra turned into a racing horse never appealed to me..zebra should stay..well zebras.
Million Dollar Baby is the next one to watch out for. In the meantime, hotel rwanda will not disappoint you.
by the way, you oughta to stop 'testing' your blog! chills,
fen
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