We can only save ourselves.

''There will be no rescue, no intervention for us. We can only save ourselves. Many of you know influential people abroad, you must call these people. You must tell them what will happen to us... say goodbye. But when you say goodbye, say it as if you are reaching through the phone and holding their hand. Let them know that if they let go of that hand, you will die. We must shame them into sending help.''

The true-life story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who housed over a thousand Tutsi refugees during their struggle against the Hutu militia in Rwanda.
A true story of a man who fought impossible odds to save everyone he could and created a place where hope survived.

Don Cheadle: Paul Rusesabagina

Nick Nolte: Colonel Oliver

Joaquin Phoenix: Jack Daglish

Hotel Rwanda(2004) in a way is the African version of genocide; On perhaps a similar wave-length as Schinder's List if thats a way of comparing or describing man's inhumanity to humanity.
Bold strokes and human conviction displayed in beautiful persecution, seriously spine tingling as propaganda driven Soldiers kill innocents, as a country is torn down the middle. Two different types: Hutu and Tutsi.
Rwanda 1994. The genocide of the Hutus and the Tutsis sadly commenced. The Hutu militia broke the peace of the country as they started killing any Tutsis in their sight as they called them cockroaches. This all relates and dates back to when Belgium took the country and sorted out the Rwandan people by shades of colour, nose size and this is briefly explained at the prologue of Hotel Rwanda.



The cinematography and editing are seamlessly achieved and shown in being unrivaled. The direction Terry George brings to the screen is a calm but strong feeling that sternly keeps you in the film as there is no place in the film without a small slight of suspense or tension. Even at some intervals of the story, the constant, building tension is relieved with some nice levity of jokes which balance matters out. Terry George and his partner Keir Pearson cleverly, beautifully bring their screenplay to life.
One aspect I loved about this film was during the most emotional scenes, the songs with the African children singers added to an already perfect atmosphere of sadness and emotional struggle. It was truly beautiful when these songs played accompanied by the actions of Paul and his wife at the same time.
It's amazing, gripping and heart crushing to take in.
Don Cheadle as Paul Rusesabagina displays such heroism, such compassion and shows that there are so many ways of fighting but none more important than battling using your heart and beliefs against the brute force of a Tyrant, of guns, of crimson eyed militia.

Frustratingly the Peacemakers cannot interfere, there in a sense no hope except in a man who wants to protect others, who is selfless.
Nick Nolte, Joaquin Phoenix Jean Reno all churn out knock out supporting actors performances elevating the film even more with it's starry casting.
Hotel Rwanda is not only an amazingly done drama but is also educational. It shows the real life events with all the details showing how France, England, Canada, and the U.N helped during the disaster and at other moments showing how powerless they were to help. Nick Nolte plays Colonel Oliver, a Canadian soldier from the U.N who is there at the beginning of the film to help with the peace agreement. Later on, him and other Canadian soldiers are relied to help Paul and the rest of the people during the wars. His character is roughly based on the Canadian war hero Romeo Dallaire who wrote his award winning book, Shaking Hands with the Devil. Nick Nolte's performance succeeds in being believable as he brings Colonel Oliver to life.

Massacres, Machetes...a blood soaked land, reporters desperately try to show the world, while we the audiences wish through gritted teeth and bated breath for something higher to stop the atrocities. Despotism, savagery that show the world is far from at peace.
Paul sees the bodies of the killing in one moment of the story and it is gut wrenching to witness, to see his complete breakdown as he whimpers, cries and despairs from the chaos ensuing around him, from witnessing such evils.
Another great scene for me when the truck transporting the Tutsi is attacked by angry hordes; Intense to say the least.
The real story here is Don Cheadle. With his absolutely extraordinary role, he carries the film on his shoulders. Definitely an astonishing, breathtaking performance, which is one of the best of the year. Don Cheadle's performance is so moving, emotional and so remarkable that he is at his absolute best ever.
An arguing Paul and a General talking about Scotland was also memorable.

Overall, Hotel Rwanda is a truly moving, stunning and inspirational masterpiece.
On a closing note, I must say that I strongly recommend that all should view this masterpiece as it educates everyone on the disasters that occurred back in ten years before in 1994. If you truly believe and have faith, the extraordinary can be accomplished and Paul Rusesabagina proved this to us.
Hotel Rwanda delivers a message that man will forever be repeating mistakes unless we eliminate hate, despair and ultimately we must learn from a blood soaked past.

10/10