The genocide
Waves of violence by the Hutu against the Tutsi followed, and it was shocking how quickly people lost their lives. Then, on 6 April 1994, when a plane was shot down and it became clear that President Habyarimana was dead, full-scale panic broke out. His death marked the end of the peace agreement, and just one day later, the genocide began—an event you have likely heard of before.
Hotel Des Milles Collines
Many Tutsi were executed by the Hutu, who sought to wipe out the entire Tutsi population. Rape became a weapon, and tens of thousands of people were slaughtered. After around 100 horrific days, some sense of calm returned, but the scars of the past remain.
During the 1994 genocide, Hotel Des Milles Collines provided shelter to no fewer than 1,268 people. Yes, that leaves you speechless... Today, there are no visible traces of this dark history, but the memory resurfaces when watching
Hotel Rwanda—the film that depicts these tragic events.
The film: Hotel Rwanda
In
Hotel Rwanda, we follow hotelier Paul Rusesabagina, portrayed by Don Cheadle. When the previously mentioned panic erupts in Kigali, he witnesses how international guests are swiftly evacuated while the local population is left to fend for itself.
He decides to open his doors to the many refugees seeking shelter after fleeing from the overcrowded camps. What follows is a gripping film that shows how Rusesabagina managed to keep 1,268 refugees alive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZzfxL90100&feature=emb_imp_woyt
Hotel Rwanda is often referred to as the "African version of
Schindler’s List" and is based on a true story. Paul Rusesabagina (pictured here with former U.S. President George W. Bush) is still alive and now leads the American NGO
Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation, which advocates for human rights. In this role, Rusesabagina has recently spoken out critically about ongoing global conflicts, arguing that humanity has not learned from its mistakes. In an interview with the American public broadcaster, he stated:
"Recent violence in Syria, Darfur, and the Central African Republic recalls exactly what we were going through in 1994. This recalls what also has been going on in the Congo, on our own watch. That recalls me that history repeats itself, and does not teach human beings any lessons."
The story has a happy ending, making it a perfect fit for a major Hollywood film. However, not everyone shares this perspective—Rwanda’s current government considers him an
"enemy of the people," and multiple accounts suggest that Rusesabagina may not have been as heroic as portrayed. Some claim he extorted money from refugees, refused to shelter those who couldn’t pay, and even evicted people from the hotel due to lack of funds. Terry George, the film’s director, has dismissed these allegations as false and defamatory.
Want to know more about how accurate the film is? Check out this article from
The Guardian.
Experience Rwanda for Yourself?
Would you like to visit
Hotel Des Milles Collines or are you intrigued by Rwanda’s breathtaking landscapes? Check out our Rwanda destination page or start a chat with us! You can also leave a message for Charlie via our contact form. By the way, the hotel from the film is now a four-star establishment with 112 rooms, most of which overlook a luxurious swimming pool—its past is now just a shadow. Want to learn more about the Rwandan genocide? Be sure to watch
God Sleeps in Rwanda, a documentary about five courageous women rebuilding their lives in Rwanda after the genocide.
