Saving Lives Amidst Genocide: A Review of Hotel Rwanda

It only takes 1 person to save countless lives. This idea, which may seem abstract and hard to believe, is brought to life in Hotel Rwanda. The film follows the story of a hotel manager named Paul Rusesabagina during the Rwandan genocide, in which 800,000 Rwandan citizens, mostly of Tutsi ethnicity, were killed by extremists. It is one of the most horrific events in history, but stories like Paul’s remind us that even during the darkest of times there will always be good in the world. In general, the movie did not greatly change my view or comprehension of the Rwandan genocide, since I already had prior knowledge of the situation. However, the visuals and story helped me to transition to thinking of the victims as people, with lives

In Hotel Rwanda, numerous characters do whatever they are able to help those they love and those who need it, like Oliver, a UN peacekeeper, Pat, an orphanage owner, Tatiana, Paul’s wife, and, of course, Paul himself. Paul consistently fought against any adversity, providing hope, safety, and light to all those who took refuge in his hotel. When they were attacked, he bribed, threatened, and pleaded with the rebels, and was always able to keep his family safe. In addition to his loved, he saved the lives of over 1200 Tutsi and Hutu refugees, most of whom he did not know. It is clear that Paul is a hero, no matter how modest he may be in trying to deny it. Any man who is so courageous, selfless, and who made such an impact is both a hero and a wonderful role model. In conclusion, watching Hotel Rwanda was a quite rewarding experience for me - though it was difficult to process and at times terribly sad, it reminded me the importance of standing up for what is right, and that one person can always make a difference. We must not allow the inaction or weakness of others to inhibit us. As Paul himself said: “This is why I say that the individual's most potent weapon is a stubborn belief in the triumph of common