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Movie: Hotel Rwanda
Director: Terry George
Actors: Don Cheadle, Nick Nolte, Sophie Okonedo, Desmond Dube, Joaquin Phoenix, Jean Reno
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Rwanda 1994, hell on earth when the Hutus militia declares war to the Tutsis and systematically starts "cleaning" the towns by killing all the Tutsis and Hutu traitors. Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle), mangager of the popular Hotel Des Milles Collines, and his family are at risk because his wife is Tutsi. Paul cleverly moves his family and a few neighbors to the hotel, one of the few locations that are being protected by the U.N. More people find the Hotel that slowly turns into a refugee camp.
Paul tries his best to shelter the refugees, negotiates and bribes local Hutu leaders and general to keep his Hotel safe, until U.N. Colonel Oliver (Nick Nolte) receives the order to transfer all the foreign visitors out of the country, leaving the hotel totally unprotected.
Hotel Rwanda tells the real-life story of the courageous Paul Rusesabagina. A story about Africa's darkest chapter in history when over 1 million people were being slaughtered, an event that almost went unnoticed by the rest of the world. The film covers it all, the lack of international political attention, the limited power of the U.N. and of course the horrible genocide, all seen through the eyes of one man.
Don Cheadle gives one of his best performances as a man who saves people by risking his own life. Paul had to make some difficult choices, protect his wife and kids but also take care of the refugees. Cheadle is breathtaking and moving, his performance got him an Oscar nomination for best actor.
Sophie Okonedo also did a stunning job as Paul's wife Tatiana, which got her an Oscar nomination as well. Nick Nolte's supporting role as Colonel Oliver who desperately wants to help but must follow orders, is also impressive. We also see Joaquin Phoenix and Jean Reno in interesting smaller roles.
Writer-director Terry George, who wrote Jim Sheridan's The Boxer and In the Name of the Father, delivers a very realistic and intense film about the horrible events in Rwanda. The film starts off bumpy but quickly finds its balance thanks to Cheadle. Hotel Rwanda then builds up tension rapidly. It grabs you and put you right in the middle of the war alongside Paul Rusesabagina till the very climactic end.
Written by Reggy 19/04/05
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