Humanity at its best and worst

Rating: 8/10 (3 March 2006)

This is the true story of a hotel manager called Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle) who harbours Tutsi families in a hotel from certain death (at the hand of the Hutu). Initially, Paul's focus is to save his own family. However, as he realises the extent of the massacre of the Tutsi people he tries to save as many as he can. He has the opportunity to leave with his family at the expense of the Tutsi that he is harbouring, but has the moral integrity to refuse.
This film is an exploration of how one man's humanity is able to shine so bright when those who surround him have lost all sense of humanity themselves. Paul goes above and beyond what anybody could have expected of him. He uses his personal wealth, bribes people to gain favours and risks the lives of his family to do the right thing.
In my opinion the themes of this film are very reminiscent of Schindler's List. They are both examples of films which show the difference that one man can make. If you sometimes despair at what a mess humanity is making of the world, I recommend that you watch this film to show that there is always hope.