Rwanda’s Genocide, Self Inflicted Wound

Rwanda’s Genocide, Self Inflicted Wound
Elizabeth Oyelola

Hotel Rwanda depicts the 1994 Genocide of Rwanda, where a brave hotel manager harbors refugees amidst the war torn country of Tutsi and Hutu. Initially reluctant to take on refugees, Rusesabagina later realizes that the European government that once embraced him has deserted him. The film shows how genocide, bribery, violence, and corruption has transformed a civilized nation to savageness.

As viewers, we are trained to respond emotionally to narrative films by having a build story around the issue. For example, the film Titanic, a film about a sinking ship, would not have been so successful had it not had a love story. However, although, Hotel Rwanda isn’t a love story, we connect through the personality, his bravery, and his relatability.

The article Hotel Rwanda by Anthere Nzabatsida, initially stated that this was a work of fiction. Hotel Rwanda isn’t a work of fiction by based on a true story, it tells that Genocide happened in Rwanda. Regardless of fiction or not, it tells the same story, it shows a prettier version of what happened for four months in Rwanda. I agreed with the point that the Europeans who no longer had financial responsibility or interests there, left those in need with lo hesitation. Moreover, I agree completely that “it hurts to see Africa represented in cinema only in negative shades.” I’m looking forward to the day that someone African/European/American will finally portray Africa in a positive light. It is not only literally the DARK CONTINENT, but figuratively speaking, in that nothing positive is ever heard about Africa. I love how the author brings out the distinction between “tribal” and “ethnic” groups. It is very important to understand the difference between these two groups. It is often believed, through western eyes, that a whole group of people are tribal not ethnic. Because African’s seem to look the same, in the westerner’s eyes, it is stereotypical to categorize the Genocide of Rwanda as tribal as opposed to ethic.

In the news article Ideas & Trends: Film Fatigue; Africa, at the Cineplex by Manohla Dargis, I appreciate how the author recognizes that African movies now are starting to have black Africans as the main Protagonist and white actors in the peripheral. I’ve heard that a Haitian movie was so close to be made, however, they needed a lead white protagonist.

Hollywood is slowly but surely changing, though taking baby steps. It’s no longer a white man/woman leading African’s to a promise land or be the liberator, but the African’s liberating themselves through tragedy.

“The rhythm of this film evolves with trepidation and trepidation and tension with many special effects:"
trepidation: A feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen