Hotel Ruanda

Ein Film aus derselben Familie wie Joffe´s Killing Fields - Schreiendes Land. Ein angespanntes, emotives, unmittelbar und zeitgleich in keinster Weise erpresserisch oder durch drastische Eigenschaften hervorstechendes Drama. Wir finden hier auch auf der motivischen Ebene die gleichen Elemente. Zum Beispiel kommen wir zum ersten Mal mit der wirklichen Brutalität eines Völkermords am Beispiel der Tutsi-Bevölkerung in Kontakt, und zwar vermittelt durch den vermittlerisch wirkenden Fernsehbildschirms. Den Eindruck einer allgegenwärtigen Brutalität sowie Hoffnungslosigkeit wird durch den eingegrenzten Raum des Hotels sowie das gelegentliche räuberische Eindringen der umliegenden Schrecken ins Hotel selbst. Terry George schafft in seinem Film den Rhythmus einer Abwechslung ruhiger Gesprächslagen sowie unglaublich angespannter Sequenzen, die voller Verzweiflung und zermürbender existenzieller Sorgen sind. Die Entwicklung des zentralen Charakters von Don Cheadle, der sich von einem sorgsamen Manager, für den seine Arbeit ist, bis hin zu einem Mann entwickelt, der alles tun würde, um die eigene Existenz und oder jene seiner Nachbarn aufrechtzuerhalten, spielt sich zwar als eine Art sekundärer Plan ab, stellt jedoch eine bedeutende Vermenschlichung der nervenaufreibenden Passagen von einem der schlimmsten Völkermorde des 20. Jahrhunderts. Wobei die westliche Welt mit ihrer Passivität nicht weniger hyänenhaft und peinlich ist als in Jaffas zwanzig Jahre altem Film. Die Geschichte dreht sich wiederholt in unheimlichen Kreisen. (03.10.2007)

A disgrace to the rich Western world and a demonstration of the inefficiency of UNPROFOR troops, materialized on the screen, and after a long time finally a film that is "about something". A raw, terrorizing atmosphere, a superb Don Cheadle and overall a film that can bring the more sensitive to tears. At the end, the filmmakers play too much on emotions, but in films of this type it is forgiven. PS: I'm slowly becoming allergic to French politics. Their active trade relations with Saddam's Iraq, or their supply of arms to the genocidal Rwandan Hutus (see the clearly audible idea from the film), say a lot. (15.06.2005)

“I think if people see this footage they'll say, "Oh my God that's horrible!" ...and then go on eating their dinners. That’s right, I couldn’t put it better than in this quote from the movie. An outstanding picture which, despite the topic, leaves no lasting impression. Which is surprising at the very least. (21.04.2022)

One thing needs to be done right at the beginning, to bow down to the creators for taking on a seemingly uninteresting topic for America and making a film about it. However, director Terry George used the brutal fist of the Rwandan genocide only as a backdrop for the story of one man who accomplished the almost impossible. If I had to compare Paul Rusesabagina to someone, it would definitely be Oskar Schindler. Through diplomatic talks and the almighty power of money, they managed to do one and the same thing. In the film, Rusesabagina is portrayed as a man who does not want to become a hero, but the price of human life is incalculable for him and his actions must therefore soon be understood by every viewer. Moreover, his character and humanity are perfectly portrayed thanks to the magnificent performance of Don Cheadle. Indeed, if it weren't for Jamie Foxx playing the blind Ray, Cheadle would have been assured of an Oscar. And while on the topic of actors, it would be a sin not to mention the excellent performances of Nick Nolte and Joaquin Phoenix, who handled their small but important roles very well, especially Phoenix's full beard, which is quite distracting. However, just like Hotel Rwanda has many merits, it also has many shortcomings, with the biggest one being the unevenness of the storytelling. The director tries to combine "action" scenes, where the militia murders the unarmed, with emotional and heavy decision-making scenes in a very subtle way, which results in a diametrical thereto. At times, I felt like I was watching two movies at the same time, which also strongly deviated from the original theme of the storytelling. But neither the "action" nor the impression is the point. It's about the value of a human life and how much strength one is willing to sacrifice for it. This is what Hotel Rwanda tells a great story about. It’s been four years since we got Black Hawk Down by Ridley Scott, and here we get another very raw and harsh "postcard" from Africa. (09.07.2005)

From an emotional perspective, it is an almost perfect film that is based on real events that took place during the infamous genocide in 1993. Excellent screenplay, quality casting, and clever direction. The result is a film that has been successful worldwide and has managed to convey the cruel events in Central Africa much better than the media. One of the best films of recent years. Overall impression: 100%. However, it is not a film that is capable of conveying a good mood, it is a distressing testimony about a country that is deformed by its poverty and ethnic hatred. (13.06.2006)