Prevent Hotel Darfur

Rating: 10/10 (1 June 2005)

This film touched me and everyone who saw it with me in so many ways. I can't remember how many times I cried, but it was quite a few times. I remember seeing "Schindler's List", and all I could think about was how this movie portrayed Spielburg's classic as it occurred in Africa.
Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo, Nick Nolte, Joaquin Phoenix, Cara Seymour and Desmond Dube all gave wonderful, heart-wrenching performances. There are many scenes that gripped me so subtly that I didn't realize that I was holding my breath until I realized that I was still in the movie theatre. The movie draws the viewer in, especially in the scenes concerning the threat against the lives of Paul's family and friends.
To think that so many stood by and allowed such a thing to happen puts me to shame just thinking about it. This movie raised so many signs in front of my face, and I was surprised to find that when I asked several of my friends about Rwanda, those that had not reached high school didn't even know about the genocide, or that Rwanda was even a country!
Don Cheadle, the Academy Award Nominee for this movie, said that he wanted to "prevent Hotel Darfur" from being released. In Sudan, things very similar to this movie are occurring, and need to be stopped. I can only pray that this movie continues to bring awareness to those who were blind to the truth. I know that awful things are happening everywhere, but the fact that the genocide could have been stopped just sickens me.
This movie is recommended for only the stalwart of heart, despite the fact that the carnage and bloodshed is kept to a subtle minimum. Please keep an open heart when you watch this movie-it will change your life.