Hotel Rwanda

Based on a true story, the film depicts the actions of Paul Rusesabagina, who risked his life to save over a thousand Tutsis and Hutus marked for death during the Rwandan massacre. Using his connections as a four-star hotel manager, Paul cajoles, bribes and blackmails military and government officials in his frantic efforts to rescue over 1200 people. Don Cheadle is fantastic in it as Sophie Okonedo who plays his wife. You may remember seeing her in Dirty Pretty Things. (Tyler - this is where Rwanda is. Click here. (fn.1))

There is a museum close to where our offices are called "Via Via" that also houses a relatively OK restaurant/bar. They were screening it outside, kind of like summer movies in Queen's Square, Bristol. Luckily it was free and therefore both locals and foreigners could attend. It had been raining all day so grass a wee bit wet, but Sigall and I parked infront of the screen, butts on raincoat, southern comforts in ample supply and waited. It then began to rain, getting slightly heavier as if trying to prove a point - no one was moving. Umbrellas came out and we waited. Anyway, man upstairs must have realized that this particular part of the human race was about as stubborn as you could get, and the rain ceased - although the clouds hovered about in a menacing and threatening manner - and the film began. We were soon joined by Susan and another friend of Sigall's, Nazzarena. The atmosphere seemed apt, sitting outside, huddled together in the rain, watching the film unfold.

One aspect that was unnerving was having a celluloid depiction of Bizimungu. His trial is currently on going. Here is his indictment. You must be warned though. It is quite long. The concept of one, maybe two page indictments has not yet reached the international arena. Considering I had read and followed Rutuganda's' trial and subsequent conviction, there is something very real and disturbing having this larger than life visual image of the man in front of you. A lot of the dialogue, scenes, depictions of what happened are what I am reading/read transferred onto celluloid. The film is powerful and provocative. In its indirect and subtle jabs at the west for not intervening, it does not let us forget that the Rwandan genocide was also an unforgivable foreign-relations lapse by Western foreign administration. In addition, that the United Nations reduced its peacekeeping force to 270 men -- for the entire country -- and that Europe turned its collective back as Hutu extremists inflamed bloodlust against the Tutsi minority. We cannot forget that nearly 1 million people were killed in 100 days, the most rapid genocide in history. We cannot forget that many of the victims were hacked to death with machetes. However, this film depicts this genocide without much "emotional grandstanding or easy moralism."

So I cannot sleep. What is it with traveling to beautiful and exotic (fn.2) places and then keeping myself awake by churning everything over and over in my head? ;-) The reason behind this recent bout of insomnia was a question asked of me this morning.... "Would I ever consider death appropriate for the crimes committed by some of those already convicted or currently standing trial."

Emotive question, I know, and one I can usually rise above. However the trouble here was because the question was not simply limited to State sanctioned death. I am ashamed to admit that there have been a few certain and specific times, including in the Hague and in 1995, when I felt the very strong urge to personally erase certain individuals for acts they committed or to cause them severe pain. (fn.3) I did not care how or how irrational the thought process was. And I would play these little cinematic episodes (yes even after the age of 10) in my head of what I would do, and for some incredible reason I always possessed Herculean powers and Jackie Chan skills. (I am kind of assuming that this is "normal." If not, please wait for at least 2 weeks before sending down the men in white coats.)

And now in Arusha - I am faced with the same imagery I was faced with in 1995. Then I think (which is not always a good thing for it takes too long for me to come to any conclusion, and often I never come to one, which results in weeks, if not months of insomnia.) In the Hague, I did not sleep for weeks after reading witness testimonies in Kunarac et al, in New Orleans, debates with one's self kind of took over the hours normally dedicated to resting those brain cells. I suppose that was a a blessing somewhat for it meant very detailed blog entries. ;-) And now, not only am I quite disturbed by some of the material I am reading, but it is creating emotions in me that are not wholly conducive to my abolitionist stance. Arghhhh! I feel like a complete fraud. *

Anyway, for those who have not seen it yet, it is an amazing film. I would urge you to go see it.

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Footnotes

1. And for anyone else over 6 years of age who is not quite sure ;-)

2. Yes, New Orleans counts as "exotic" to an African farm girl!

3. This does not include UN Admin staff or certain male relatives. ;-)

*Alison G - do not worry! I am alright - slightly confused but alright. However if it prompts more photos of your cute little child, who am I to say no???