The Quadrangle

Issue date: 2/16/05 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Ten years ago, one the worst events of mass murder occurred in the small country of Rwanda, located in the heart of Africa. Amazingly, in an age where technology and the media's influence on the current events was rapidly rising, this event went almost unnoticed. The Hutus of Rwanda rose against a minority Tutsis, who were authorized by the long departed Belgian colonists. In a three-month period, more than one million people were brutally killed, and yet the rest of the world did nothing about it. The recent film Hotel Rwanda is a riveting reminder to those who forgot about the pure horror that millions of people experienced during this time.

The film is surrounded around Paul Rusesabagina, played by Don Cheadle (who also starred in Ocean's Twelve and Traffic). Rusesabagina is a Hutu who is in the minority, for he has flourished in managing a very fancy hotel in Kigali, Rwanda's capital city. Despite his status as a Hutu, his wife, played by Sophie Okonedo, is a Tutsi, constantly fearing for her life. The story revolves around Rusesabagina's efforts to save thousands of Tutsis by hiding them out in his hotel during times of crisis. His conscience keeps telling him that he cannot watch the slaying of these innocent people. Although viewed as a traitor and constantly threatened with death, Paul also makes a concerted effort to outsiders about his story. Only few realize his efforts.

The historical importance of this film cannot be overlooked. While Americans are repeatedly reminded of the threats regarding the Middle East by the news media, most people do not remember what happened in Rwanda. There are a number of scenes of history lessons that most would never have imagined was happening without detection by the U.S. Government or the media.

The driving force behind this movie is Cheadle. He plays the protagonist who is constantly growing stronger as the story goes progresses. Reluctant at first to save people whom his people are fighting against, he ultimately decides to publicize his operation through a reporter, played by Joaquin Phoenix (Gladiator, Signs) and a UN peace colonel, played by Nick Nolte (48 Hours, Affliction).

Despite being shunned by the Academy for a Best Picture Nomination, Hotel Rwanda is one of the most powerful movies of the year because of the message it portrays about good-heartedness. The surroundings of war do not dampen the mood of the movie, much like Paul Rusesabagina's attitude toward saving people's lives. It is quite obvious that Director Terry George wants to push how much American people overlooked Rwanda in the 1990s, especially during a time when Americans are coming together to support the troops in Iraq and the people devastated by the tsunami in Southeast Asia.

Don Cheadle was nominated for Best Actor, but will not likely win because of the simply amazing transformation of Jamie Foxx into Ray Charles in Ray. Every performance Mr. Cheadle gives has been very strong in the past, and Hotel Rwanda will hopefully expose him to a wider audience and land him more starring roles in major motion pictures in the near future.

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