Hotel Rwanda is a stunning film. It is based on the true story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hero for the Tutsis of Rwanda. It is difficult to review a film that has real events. The director cannot do much to change the beginning, middle, or ending; history only happened one way. I applaud the director for his successful attempt to bring recognition to the genocide in Rwanda.

In order to understand the film, you must know a basic history of Rwanda. A few hundred years ago, the Tutsis and the Hutus were the groups that made up Rwanda. The Tutsis were the minority but held better jobs and power over the Hutus. In the early 1900s, Rwanda was annexed to Belgium. Belgium decided to give everybody in Rwanda identification cards. These cards distinguished the citizens of Rwanda as either Hutu or Tutsi. The truth was that the process for the selection was quite arbitrary. One would not really be able to tell if someone was Hutu or Tutsi just by looking at them. The Hutus, who ended up being the majority, overthrew the leading Tutsis on their way towards independence from Belgium. A civil war ensued.

The Interhamwe, a Hutu militia, created a plan to systematically wipe out all of the Tutsis. They called the Tutsis cockroaches, and tried to convince all of the Hutus that the Tutsis had no right to live. This is where Hotel Rwanda comes into play. Paul Rusesabagina is a Hutu hotel manager. When he hears of what is happening, he knows he must protect his wife and children –all Tutsis. They end up moving into the hotel where Paul works, but they are not alone. Paul is a trusted Hutu, and the Tutsi community flocks for refuge at his hotel.

It becomes Paul’s personal responsibility to provide safety for his new hotel guests. He must fight against all odds to keep the Interhamwe from destroying everyone. His story is heroic and unique. If you have not seen this movie yet, I say it is a Must-See. The movie is an intense thrill. It’s hard to keep reminding yourself that it portrays events that were real.