The movie is weird. Not in the sense of “not cool”, but in the sense of “terrible”.
When people try to portray Africa in any way truthfully, it is often frightening. Scared by the desperate cruelty with which the local population exterminates each other here and there on this continent (and this is not yet the local silence). I assume that only the most horrifying stories reach other continents, and the bulk of them may not even go beyond even one particular country.
Here is a story that has become infamous around the world: about the Tutsi and Hutu tribes, about the genocide, about hundreds of thousands of victims of the civil war in the small state of Rwanda.
The game is complete, of course. Looking at this, trying to imagine yourself in the place of the unhappy and feeling real fear from it, is not easy. A horror film about the real world without vampires and zombies, but with offended, heated propaganda, armed and distraught neighbors.
Uncomfortable film. But cool. Without such action as “Blood Diamond”, but with a sense of impending disaster worse than “Titanic”. The spirit captures so that a lump in the throat sometimes gets stuck.
The film tells the story of a local conflict between two peoples, one of which, the Hutu, who makes up the ethnic majority, staged a real genocide against the Tutsi people, mercilessly slaughtering more than a million people. Thanks to the manager of the central hotel for foreigners, Paul, who sheltered the fugitives from the imminent death of the unfortunate and doomed in the Thousand Hills hotel, almost thousands of innocents managed to escape. It's symbolic, isn't it? Paul, the father of two children and a beautiful wife who belonged to the people suddenly became outlawed, how many times he walked a hair from death, how many suffered from those moments when he felt helpless, and all this together with the constant fear for the life of not only his family, but also hundreds of persecuted and persecuted former neighbors, friends and even completely unfamiliar people. Not everyone can do that.
It is worthy of endless admiration that, unlike others in this hell, he categorically did not tarnish his conscience, faithfully protecting frightened fathers, children and mothers in a small hotel that bloodthirsty Hutu rebels tried to capture more than once throughout the film in order to catch and destroy the Tutsis arriving in it. Paul went to all sorts of tricks, showed cunning and ingenuity, sometimes acted spontaneously and decisively, while arriving in deep shock from what was happening. It seemed that all these titanic powers were a gift from above. There is something biblical in this story, something from the story of the same Moses who was able to lead his people out of hell, giving them life and freedom. And to God, Don Cheadle played the role of his life, immersing himself in the image of a desperate but incredibly brave man who took responsibility for the lives of a people in trouble. And quite rightly received various prestigious nominations, including the Oscar. However, like his on-screen partner Sophie Okonedo, very touching and emotionally played the wife of Paul.
And in general, there are no complaints about acting roles here. Even the actors of the extras perfectly coped with their small, but very important images - the camera occasionally stopped on their faces for a split second, capturing deep sorrow, horror and despair. Also, in small roles here you can see Joaquin Phoenix, who played a journalist, Jean Reno portrayed the owner of a Rwandan hotel, and already in a slightly more significant role Nick Nolty, who tried on the image of the commander of the peacekeeping forces at the UN – Colonel Oliver. But the focus, of course, is on Don Cheadle. It is he who drags the picture on his shoulders, like his character from the film, dragging his relatives and unfortunate Tutsis through the real hell. The film is based on real events, and despite all the nightmare that happens on the screen, you are slowly starting to get used to it. It's certainly terrible. These events took place in 1994, and since then we have managed to witness dozens of such local conflicts. The news is literally full of more mass murders in hot spots, and as soon as one of them fades, the other immediately lights up. There seems to be no end or end to bloodshed.
But in addition to a very deeply built drama, the tape also shows quite a stable dynamics. The action is constantly striving for new turns of events, not allowing either the audience or the characters of the picture to catch their breath. Every minute threatens to be the last. Turn away for a moment, and the hard-won truce collapses like a house of cards. Such a fragile house is the Thousand Hills Hotel, which before the bloody events was one of the safest places for American and European tourists. It suddenly turns into a haven for the doomed, located in the middle of a broken hell. There are still such popular topics in the film as racism. Nolte's hero, Colonel Oliver, explicitly states to Cheadle's character, Paul, that to superpowers he is a third-class man - "You're not even a nigger, Paul, you're just an African." You are considered trash, nothingness. And this is all happening in the context of denying help in a difficult moment from those whom Paul had hoped for, working honestly for them for many years. True, then help from them followed, which became one of the opportunities to spend time for salvation on a difficult path from endless obstacles.
P.S. The movie is a test. And despite the fact that a lot of pictures have been shot on the topic of genocide, telling about certain bloody events, and news channels are filled with horrific reports from hot spots, which, unfortunately, become more and more every year - you do not cease to be horrified by what is happening, with a nightmare, imagining what those who directly experience it and experienced it in reality are like. The film literally brings to life the catastrophic story of 1994, causing genuine bewilderment, shock and endless sadness. I would like to wish all people peace and goodness!
9 out of 10
One of the hidden treasures of this film is the mirage that the film is documentary (actually based on real events). There is no excessive embellishment and intimidation, the actors played out without overdoing the stick. The film was given only the details of the script to convey a message to the viewer. The film pointed to the negligence of the UN, which undermined the very raison d’être of the organization, and once again cast doubt on their equal treatment of the countries of the first and third world. The film is buried not only the theme of genocide, but also stupid bureaucracy, media freedom, military ethics.
The film, dedicated to the most brutal and mass genocide in the history of mankind, secretly shared the fate of this genocide. Without thinking slyly, viewers often compare the film with Spielberg's masterpiece - "Schindler's List." However, this film does not have a bright idol – the director, just as the genocide did not have a world-famous icon that the whole world would hate. It is ironic in this context to put on the same shelf Hitler and Spielberg, albeit in a polar sense.
So, the film did not become a classic, although it perfectly coped with its task - to show the horrors of the bloody genocide, at the same time without injuring the psyche of the viewer. However, the film jumped above its head – a message that it is important to realize the value of the issue of ethnicity and nation, and what consequences can be had by negligent treatment of these topics.
The hotel as a place of salvation from genocide refers to modern realities; nowadays, when it has become fashionable (Fashion -_-) mindlessly hold on to citizenship as a matter of pride. More often than not, it is only in a hotel, in a place where people enjoy being treated well, that people can afford to show courtesy to people of other nationalities—and even then, not always. The owner of the hotel, Paul, represents the model of a businessman who cares only about a well-done business and influential connections. He does not shy away from blackmail and bribery, but does not harm anyone; this position shows his sovereignty from a society in which chaos and uncertainty are created. Don Cheadle leads us to believe that Paul is a positive person; and it is this image of an independent businessman, impregnable and at the same time charming on the outside and kind on the inside, that is present in almost every work of art and is of attractive literary value. Needless to say, such a man is Mr. Darcy for the current generation of girls.
However, the film doesn’t get that far; Paul’s character doesn’t set out to win over a female audience, though it does get warm in the end. Over the course of the film, we see the protagonist’s familiar struggle and the discovery that one must save people from the perverted universal delusion that one person is better than another and more deserving of the right to life, when others must die because of erroneous speculation in the brains of self-centered people. The film tells the viewer that one in the field is still a warrior; that a drop in the ocean, although insignificant, but the ocean is not full without this drop. Paul is his own among the many Tutsi people he saved; and a stranger among his own Hutu tribe, maddened by blood and a thirst for power.
The film is profound in its meaning to people, earthlings; however, alas, in the world of cinema is not of value on this scale. He is his own in the world of documentaries, even if he is not; and a stranger among the artistic ones. I would include such a film in the school curriculum, and would advise people tired of entertaining films.
For the Atlantis Ideas that opened the film to me
10 out of 10
Strangely, the films that I am shocked to see are postponed indefinitely. But as always, these movies have a big impact on me. This is what happened to this amazing movie.
The film tells about the war of one nation, which is divided into two sides. One side kills the other out of hatred, delusion and cruelty. The Tutsi side asks for help from the whites, but they are not in a hurry to help.
The film is worth watching for many reasons. It's based on real events. After watching, you begin to realize how many cruel people there are in the world. There is an awareness of how many innocent people are dying in the world. Cinema teaches not to give up even in the most difficult situations.
Hotel Rwanda is one of the best films. He will undoubtedly impress many people.
It would seem that we live in peacetime, all world wars are in the past, genocide is out of the question, because there are so many different influential public, peacekeeping organizations and institutions in the world, television is developed, thousands of monuments are worth not to forget the lessons of the past. But no.
In April 1994, a horrific event took place in Rwanda, namely the genocide of the Tutsi people. According to various sources, the number of killed in 100 days amounted to 1,000,000 people. The rate of murder in Rwanda was five times the rate of murder in German death camps during World War II. And this despite the fact that Belgium and other peacekeepers were in the country.
This film will show you how to fight for life by the example of just one person, when blood is pouring down the river, and madness and hatred have taken over the whole country, when the UN is inactive and there is no hope, except for yourself and your wit.
Every war is a tragedy of pain and horror. It brings up not only heroes, but also all the garbage. Those who feel power see themselves as the master of destiny. But there are also people who can be called a real person! That's right, capitalized. Those who in ordinary life were a small cog. In times of great turmoil, such people are capable of great feats. This is the main character of the film Paul! It is a good thing that gives hope for the future. Such people make us believe that humanity is not completely hopeless in its hatred, limitless commercialism and cruelty!
This film is definitely worth watching, if only to try to understand the horror of any military conflict, whether it is a large-scale war or a local conflict. And, unfortunately, in such conflicts, civilians are the first to suffer. It's scary and unacceptable! The events in Rwanda are horrific in their brutality. And the film "Hotel Rwanda" very qualitatively conveys the atmosphere of those times. He forces the characters of the film to experience everything that happens.
The film is based on real events. In 1994, a civil war broke out in the African country of Rwanda, a former Belgian colony. Representatives of the Hutu people, for many years at the whim of the European masters forced to grovel before another people - the Tutsi, raised an armed revolt and began a bloody massacre. The manager of the luxury hotel Paul Rusesabagina (Chidl) was forced to simultaneously perform his direct duties, take care of the family (Paul’s wife is a Tutsi), as well as cooperate with UN soldiers led by Colonel Oliver (Noltie), the press, representatives of the red cross and even Hutu militias.
On the one hand, of course, the Rwandan Civil War movie doesn’t sound very appealing. On the other hand, the main thing is not the color of the skin of the rebels or the geographical location of the hot spot. In this case, we should first try to look at events in a more general way, because by and large all civil wars are reduced to the same simple set of components. From this point of view, everything in Hotel Rwanda is done at the highest level: the ordeal of Colonel Oliver, trying to circumvent orders to do something to prevent mass bloodshed, the recklessness of the press, bordering on cynicism, and the tears of a woman doctor, before whose eyes are cruelly killing innocent children. And finally, the general absurdity of the situation in which a brother goes on a brother, and a husband on a wife due to minimal differences in skin tone and nose shape.
Well, after realizing the big picture, on the contrary, it is necessary to dig deep into the plot and look at how ordinary and very specific people behave in such a difficult situation. I liked that the image of Paul is not made deliberately heroic - he is an ordinary, albeit quite intelligent and enterprising person. At first, he tried to distance himself from the problems around him, focusing solely on protecting his family and property. However, gradually the whirlpool of events drags him to the bottom - to the place where mountains of corpses, unbearable cruelty, European indifference and a complete lack of hope that everything will resolve itself. And there, on this day, Paul behaves like a real man and a man with a big heart.
One thing that surprises me most about these films is why I’ve never heard of them. It should be a very noticeable thing. Oscar nominations, brilliant cast, critical acclaim, good fees – not a “bomb”, of course, but not a super failure. But somehow lost for ten years this film on the virtual shelf of world cinema. Very few people remember him now.
In my opinion, Hotel Rwanda is a very strong, piercing picture, the value of which does not rest on the banal description of the events of thirty years ago, taking place in a godforsaken African country. No, this film is equally about humanity in the global sense of the word, and about its individual representatives. I highly recommend it.
It is appalling when there is apartheid separating people of different races in a country, but even more appalling when one country imposes severe intraracial apartheid between two similar peoples. Belgium supports Tutsi rule, while Hutus, who make up the majority of the population, are denied their rights. Such a policy benefited some, but they did not notice how the Hutus’ blind hatred of the Tutsis had been fomented for decades, and when it reached its limit, a coup d’état took place that led to the genocide in Rwanda, which claimed about a million lives.
In 1994, director Terry George received his first Oscar nomination. In the same year, there were massacres in Rwanda. And then ten years later, George makes the first feature film about this genocide, and later this film becomes the most famous on this topic.
A man who has saved many lives by hiding, protecting and providing the necessities of those innocent people who are being hunted. The comparison with Oskar Schindler is inevitable, but in fact they are two very different stories and different people, but they risked their lives to save representatives of another people, whom their people, having come to power, hated and decided to exterminate. Paul Rusesabagina is one of those amazing people who don’t realize how much good they do to others. He seems to accidentally save hundreds and hundreds of lives, and at first he continues to worry about the status of his hotel and not to lose his job. And that's when whole families are shot in their own homes. Just all these horrors at first seem something so incredible and supernatural that people do not leave the feeling that it is all about to end, parting like a bad dream. But no matter how hard it is, Paul knows what he should do, and he does everything to protect those who trust him.
At that time, the talented actor Don Cheadle already had successful dramatic roles, but his Paul Rusesabagina very quickly conquers and delights to the core, becoming one of his favorite characters. The actor played him such a simple man, sincere, who by his choice and actions earned the title of a real hero. Such heroes do walk among us, and in most cases others do not even suspect it until something like this happens. This simple man, obeying the call of his heart, accomplishes feat after feat, because the salvation of human life cannot be called otherwise, and at the same time he does not demand anything in return, knowing that for these people his hotel is an oasis in the middle of hell, and that he himself is for them the last hope for salvation, and he simply has no right to let them down.
Paul's incredible support is his wife Tatiana. It's hard to imagine how he would have done what he did without her. Sophie Okonedo is a talented and bright actress, which once seen, it is difficult not to remember. Let for the role of Tatiana she was nominated in the category “Best secondary actress”, here she has such an important purpose that her role is perceived as the main female. It is Tatiana, with her big mother and wife heart, who shows her husband that it is necessary to save not only her family, but also neighbors and even strangers. She inspires Paul and gives him the strength to keep fighting. And their night on the roof became one of my favorite romantic scenes in cinema.
The attitude of the Western world to the terrible events in Rwanda is reflected here in the behavior of foreigners, military and civilian, journalists and representatives of the humanitarian mission. Some of them decide to leave the country to fend for themselves, while others, like Pat Archer, are willing to ride under bullets to save a few more lives. I really liked Colonel Nick Nolty, who, despite orders, could not leave people to die. Good and David O'Hara in the image of a journalist who, although not ready to risk his life, like his partner, but also to silence the terrible realities of what is happening outside the hotel, he is not going to. Joaquin Phoenix, who played a brave reporter, does not have so many scenes, but his character has several apt phrases, and he himself managed to strongly reveal the drama of his hero’s situation. An interesting episodic role of the owner of the hotel, located far from Rwanda, went here to Jean Reno. It is unusual to see him in this image of an ordinary businessman, and not an action hero, but Renault was very suitable for such a calm role.
While watching the film, you almost immediately think about what we know about Rwanda, about the history of this country, culture, traditions and that bloody enmity of the Hutu against the Tutsis. Watching the pictures of brutal massacres, who do not know sympathy for either women or children, remember the crimes of the Nazis during the Second World War. According to official data, on that hundred days in 1994, the rate of murder was five times faster than the rate of murder in the same German death camps. A scene is remembered when the protagonist is called a traitor and told to shoot Tutsis, including his wife, children, neighbors, or he will die first. Did those soldiers really expect that he would agree to shoot all his relatives, as long as he was not considered a traitor?
There are some powerful revelation scenes here, especially in the second part of the film, which were filmed and played with such a feeling that exposes the human essence. Terry George's film shows enough atrocities, and they do not happen for the first time in human history, and, most terrible, not for the last time. But these scenes are shocking again and again with their extreme cruelty of some people to others, blind and unjustified hatred, feeding on the blood of men, women, the elderly and children. Together with the main character, you wonder why this happened, what will it lead to, how to stop it, how to save these poor, abandoned to the mercy of bloodthirsty people? There is so much realism, tension, happening more than once breathless, because the ring of ruthless military associations is about to close around the last oasis of salvation, supported by manager Paul. A wonderful film on such a complex subject, inspiring not to give up, to believe and protect those who can not defend themselves.
When the world turned its back on Rwanda, so many lives were lost. But here one brave man, and he was not alone in this battle, continued to fight for every life, to fight without weapons or power, armed only with his mind, determination, a handful of gold jewelry and a few boxes of elite alcohol, capable of appeasing for a time those who came through the lives of the people who survived in that hotel, which became the last oasis in the middle of hell.
Cruelty has always been, is and will be in the life of mankind.
This film shows us the brutality in all its glory: the genocide that took place in Africa in 1994. Treating people as garbage, merciless killings, bullying – all this happened to innocent people who had to survive in such an environment. Few people can pull themselves together and courageously save their family, friends and others from this horror, not give up. The main character, Paul Rusebagina, was able to do this, despite all the difficulties that he encountered on the way. This man’s struggle with evil people, indifferent people was able to cause so much emotion thanks to the brilliant acting and excellent work of Terry George, the director, and other people who were able to authentically recreate the bitter event that happened when the world turned away from Rwanda, everyone turned away. That’s why this film is unique and should be seen by everyone, because people forget what the lowest thing in us can lead to: cruelty, and because similar horrors, like in Rwanda, have happened and are still happening in South Ossetia, Ukraine and many other places. It is not possible to break this cycle, is it possible? Good question. It will not be possible if the major world powers turn their backs on such problems, if people remain captive to their own stereotypes and hatred. And it will be possible if each of us learns something from Paul Rusebagina, a selfless person who accomplished a real feat.
This is not a movie - it is an autobiography, emotional, instructive and lively.
10 out of 10
No matter how progressively humanity develops, it may feel that the globe will long resemble a patchwork of patchy countries that differ in standard of living. In 2004, in the already not very rich state of Rwanda, a bloodbath broke out associated with the genocide of the Tutsi people, who historically “salted” another people called the Hutu. The film "Hotel Rwanda" will take you to the heaviest of those events. Hell, where, after all, there was a man who could show compassion and risk his life for others.
The plot tells about the representative of the Hutu people, Paul (Chidl), married to a Tutsi woman Tatiana (apparently, the USSR once established ties with Rwanda). A loving husband and successful manager, Paul lives very well, but at one point the world around him begins to collapse: neighbors are shot, his wife turns into an “enemy of the state”, and distraught activists try to slaughter an entire generation of people they hate, and, more simply, children. Once in a hotel guarded by peacekeepers, Paul begins to accept hundreds of refugees. However, the situation continues to be clouded: other powers are in no hurry to help, and local defenders are few in number; people are all arriving, and no matter how much you pay, you will not bribe all persecutors. Paul does not give up, but will he be able to keep at least the people most dear to him safe?
Hotel Rwanda is a picture of the horrors of genocide, and at the same time everything that can be opposed to them: love, compassion, selflessness. Paul is not some superhero, but a simple layman, who, however, was able, thanks to the above qualities, as well as intelligence and some connections, to protect many people. In the end, "Hotel" is a film about the fact that even during the worst thunderstorm you can not forget about the sunshine and end the struggle with the elements bursting into your house.
The film is filled with drama and may even shock, but if you think about it, of course, it will not convey a small part of everything that these people endured in a harsh time, although there is a place for really touching and lyrical moments, like the national dance of children at the hotel. However, in no case can we say that it came out harsh or unnecessarily unpleasant. Compared to Flowers of War, for example, this is an easy movie. For drama, the picture looks quite easy in the sense that it should not be boring - tense scenes and events themselves change quite quickly.
The cast is successful and has a curious list of famous names. Personally, I would like to highlight the play of the talented and prolific actor Don Cheadle for whom The Hotel is perhaps the crown of his film career because of the Oscar and Golden Globe nominations, as well as the old Nick Nolte, who in 2004 seemed already a Hollywood veteran.
As a result, we have a high-quality drama in the entourage of the African genocide about the fact that the world is not without good people. The movie is not entertaining, but definitely strong and knocking at your heart. War and troubles divide people like a sword, exposing in them sometimes hidden qualities. Hotel Rwanda is an example of how the average person can open the doors of his soul to hundreds and hundreds of people in need.
The events in Rwanda were not so well known in the early 1990s. The Western powers, the powers that be, chose not to speak of a monstrous catastrophe in this small African country. They were more interested in the Balkans of the same period. Clinton apologized to the international community for not paying enough attention to the genocide in Rwanda. But peaceful, innocent citizens, representatives of the Hutu and Tutsi peoples, could not be returned.
This film is probably the only reminder of the events of those years available to the rich white man. In my opinion, the film is the property of world cinema, one of the unconditional masterpieces. Realism of what is happening in the film constantly keeps in suspense, sometimes not even allowing breathing. The audience empathizes with the characters throughout the film. The scenes of savage genocide presented in the film are stupefying without the bloodlust that is so common today. In this sense, the film is similar to another masterpiece – “Life is beautiful”, about the Second World War, where the director, without the pathological passion for depicting realistic scenes of violence inherent in, for example, Rodriguez, managed to reveal the cruelty and absurdity of killing people.
The actors are impeccable. In my opinion, it is a reference. All emotions, all fears are transmitted so professionally, realistically that you trust what is happening completely, you live the life you see.
I hope that this film will teach someone to think about their actions and appreciate human life.
10 out of 10
After watching the film "Hotel Rwanda", I could not recover for a long time, trying to understand why such atrocities were committed in the African country of the same name, why the population of this country was divided into two warring camps and one of them began to mercilessly carve out the other, without sparing anyone, it is not war, not even civil war, the most appropriate word is massacre, the real massacre, and from the point of view of political and historical conclusions this is replaced by the terrible word "genocide".
Saturated with ethnic coloring film "Hotel Rwanda" frightens itself. Director Terry George created an atmosphere of unimaginable danger, each step can lead to a horrific consequence, where only the death of one person is not the most terrible turn of events. Terry George adds fear and the smell of death to the atmosphere of the picture every second, if it suddenly seems that this is the culmination, then this is not at all true, then no less terrible events occur. This is what reigns in this film: blood and oppression, powerlessness and a desperate struggle for life.
There is another feature of this film: it is an impeccable game of actors who brilliantly got used to their images, realized what this drama tells. Don Cheadle just captivated me with his performance. In fact, his hero had nothing to fear – he came from the tribe that started the massacre, besides he had connections, he was in good standing and was unlikely to suffer from the genocide that began. But his wife was from another tribe, he did not feel dislike for representatives of another tribe, and he took advantage of his connections and status, saving a huge number of people from imminent death. His hero is a real person and a low bow to him, he is a real, courageous and honest man. Don Cheadle brilliantly played a trained hotel manager, he constantly passed from one behavior to another: he was courteous, but then his eyes conveyed indescribable sadness, fear and even hatred. This is the best role I've ever seen.
I really liked the dramatic game Sophie Oceano. How could you not believe her? It seemed that she herself had experienced the horror of what happened in Rwanda, maybe they just complemented each other perfectly with Don Cheadle, which became the basis of their amazingly realistic game. I can't help but like Nick Nolty. In his own way, he made respect for the UN soldier, who himself understood that he could be destroyed, even the patches of a peacekeeping organization would not save him, but he stood until the end and this image was conveyed magnificently, as in his best years.
Hotel Rwanda is a very realistic film filled with cruelty on the one hand and real humanity on the other. The film touches to the very heart, creeps into the heart and will never come out of there. Through his example, you can realize what principledness means in our world and what it means to give a word, you can learn what courage and self-sacrifice are. Amazing camera work, excellent acting and amazing musical accompaniment - that's what characterizes this tape.