Movie Review: Hotel Rwanda
I had heard nothing but good comments about Hotel Rwanda, so I decided to watch it this evening upon seeing it at the movie store. I'm very much glad I chose this movie, for it seemed to tell a very important story, one that perhaps more people should be aware of. Hotel Rwanda tells the story of the genocide that took place in the country of Rwanda in the 1990s and of one man's efforts to do all he could to save the lives who came to him for shelter.
It is horrible to hear the reasons for the genocide and the hate that backed it. There were two groups involved: the Hutus and the Tutsis. Almost one million lives were lost in this time when the Hutus attempted to wipe out the Tutsis, and virtually no one stood in their way. To the shame of rich and powerful countries around the world, such loss of life was practically winked upon. Nothing was done to stop it. Apparently there are not enough natural resources or political interests in this poor country to warrant intervention.
The story behind the massacres in Rwanda is perhaps one of the most horrible single events in modern times, yet it was hardly noticed by the highest levels of global society. It is a sad, cold, cruel world we live in. Yet a light of hope springs forth from this story of a man who stood against all odds, and clearly had God's divine strength backing him whether he asked for it or not. It makes you wonder, though, how many tragedies are happening under our noses, ones that aren't reported or stopped because the countries involved don't serve a political service or provide beneficial products to our country.