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March 30, 2005
Don't forget
Go and see Hotel Rwanda. Or buy it.
'The genocide was made all the more tragic by the fact that most of the world chose to ignore the conflict and the plight of the Rwandan people...the horror of the conflict, instead of causing international outrage, seemed to be written off as another "third world incident" and not worthy of attention.
Over the course of 100 days, almost one million people were killed in Rwanda. The streets of the capital city of Kigali ran red with rivers of blood, but no one came to help. There was no international intervention in Rwanda, no expeditionary forces, no coalition of the willing. There was no international aid for Rwanda. Rwanda's Hutu extremists slaughtered their Tutsi neighbors and any moderate Hutus who stood in their way, and the world left them to it.
"Ten years on, politicians from around the world have made the pilgrimage to Rwanda to ask for forgiveness from the survivors, and once more the same politicians promise `never again,'" says director Terry George. "But it's happening yet again in Sudan, or the Congo, or some Godforsaken place where life is worth less than dirt."
Wars have always provided fertile ground for the emergence of heroes and supreme acts of heroism by ordinary people. Rwanda was no exception. Amidst the horrendous violence and chaos that swept the country, one of the many heroes to emerge was Paul Rusesabagina, an ordinary man who, out of love and compassion, managed to save the lives of 1268 people.'
(from "A Modern Genocide: The story behind the film" at Hotel Rwanda)
I went to see Hotel Rwanda on Easter Sunday. This is a superb and powerful film, worthy of its Oscar nomination, and the awards it has gained. But it is also a reminder, a rebuke, and a call to us never again to ignore our responsibilities - for example in Sudan and other places.
Posted by Keith at March 30, 2005 08:58 AM
Comments
I agree Keith... great film, but disturbing for many reasons, not least that the world stood by and watched as a nation imploded. It scares me that we see the same thing happening in Darfur, that it took a tsunami for us to realise that millions live in poverty etc etc, and Zimbabwe continues to self-destruct. Arrggh. And they say it's not about oil. Give me a break !
Be blessed in all you do... inspiring reading as always.
Posted by: Rich at March 30, 2005 10:59 PM
Have you seen "Motorcycle Diaries?" Definitely worth a look, whether you agree with the politics or not, it is inspiring and moving.
Posted by: Richard L at April 12, 2005 12:48 AM
