What Is Hotel Rwanda Genocide

The Nazi genocide and the reign of terror Hitler inflicted on the Jews during WWII is not unique. Rwanda suffered an equally brutal reign of terror in 1994. However, not many people are aware of the genocide. It was not until the film “Hotel Rwanda” by Terry George, was released as a direct result of the genocide that the world took cognisance of this atrocity. To what extent does the film, “Hotel Rwanda” by Terry George accurately portray the events of the Rwandan genocide? By analysing the incidents portrayed in the film against actual incidents and making reference to actual people against characters in the movie, it can be argued that the film portrays the genocide truthfully, although character names and certain individual perspectives
This genocide, which was started by extreme Hutu nationalists, in the capital city of Kigali, spread throughout the country with staggering speed and brutality, as ordinary citizens were incited by local Hutu officials which in turn were incited by Hutu government officials, to take up arms against fellow citizens who were considered to be either of Tutsi decent or to be moderate Hutu’s. In many incidents, neighbours turned on neighbours. The genocide had not been as technologically advanced as that of the Jewish genocide, as there were no gas chambers or organised round-ups, instead Tutsi’s were brutally slaughtered in their tracks, by those they once trusted (Source D). This is accurately portrayed in the film as one is able to see the Hutu people carrying the same weaponry when threatening and brutally killing the Tutsi people where they stood (Source
The film depicts a harsh environment with citizens struggling to stay alive and safe (Source H) along with mass deaths (Source O). In contrast during the actual Rwandan genocide people were brutally murdered and left for dead where they were found (Source J), with many young people being forced to watch their own family, close relatives and friends being brutally murdered by those who were seen as allies and friends (Source D). Added to this, many more people were injured and left for dead (Source N). Thus the Rwandan genocide had far reaching repercussions. One is able to see that the film itself is that of a typical Hollywood film, as it depicts hope and positivity throughout, as can be seen with the portrayal of the Rusesabagina family, who is able to stay positive and survive throughout the movie (Source H). However, during the Rwandan genocide many Tutsi and moderate Hutu families could not stay positive and lost all hope as they did not know if they would survive the day, let alone the entire