Not just for entertainment

Rating: 10/10 (28 February 2006)

I had just finished watching Hotel Rwanda and I had read some of the user comments while doing so. Normally I gravitate to the "Hated It" section on movies that I like, and some of the comments made surprised me. Currently I am studying Western Imperialism (and the European control of Africa)in AP European History so I have some background info on this topic.
I do not know what people who didn't like this movie expected, because I was content with the material it covered. Honestly, I believed the project was quite ambitious, yet when I found out it was about the story of one man and those around him I was relieved. Because the writers focused on the main character, my heart went out to him. There were times I could only imagine what was going on in his head, and how much fear he could be feeling (made possible only by Don Cheadle's good acting). I KNEW that many people were slaughtered. I KNEW the backstory of Rwanda, and I KNEW there were separations between the Rwandans.
I, personally, needed a reason to identify with these refugees. I felt sad when I learned about it in class, but this movie gave me a visual and really showed me the dire hopelessness and destruction of the situation. I didn't want another history lesson and I really didn't want to see people die the whole time. I wanted to see the courage and faith of those who lived through it. The facts came together for me and came to life through the characters.
And by the way, it is no coincidence it was released on the tenth anniversary of the Rwanadan Conflict, and it should be no surprise that genocide like this is still going on. And yes, Europe and America were the superpowers, yet still looked on and did nothing. I don't care how others disagree. I felt (and feel) guilty, even though I was a child at the time. After seeing the movie I was baffled by the simplicity of the matter,and after reading reviews I was baffled at how many people took offense to the reality presented in this movie. Not only is this 2 hours of entertainment, you are meant to leave thinking. And if you left hating the movie, ask yourself why. Truly ask yourself the real reason why.