Watch Hotel Rwanda

Hotel Rwanda is a powerful and emotionally charged film from 2004 that tells the story of one man’s heroic efforts to save lives during one of the most devastating conflicts in recent history. The film is directed by Terry George and stars Don Cheadle as the protagonist, Paul Rusesabagina. Sophie Okonedo plays his wife, Tatiana Rusesabagina, and Joaquin Phoenix plays a journalist named Jack Daglish.

The movie is set in the early 1990s in Rwanda, a small African country that is home to two main ethnic groups, the Tutsi and the Hutu. Tensions between these groups have simmered for decades, but they come to a head when the president of Rwanda, a Hutu, is killed in a plane crash. This event sparks a wave of violence and bloodshed, as Hutu extremists begin a campaign of terror against the Tutsi minority.

Paul Rusesabagina is the manager of the Hôtel des Mille Collines, a luxury hotel in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. As the violence spreads across the country, Paul finds himself in the midst of a struggle to save the lives of as many people as possible. He is a Hutu, but his wife Tatiana is a Tutsi. This puts their family in a precarious position, as they are targeted by the Hutu extremists for their mixed marriage.

Despite the danger, Paul refuses to abandon his hotel and the people who have taken refuge there. He uses his connections and his wits to negotiate with the Rwandan military and the United Nations, convincing them to keep the hotel and its occupants safe. He also uses his position to shelter Tutsi refugees, smuggling them into the hotel and hiding them from the marauding gangs of killers who roam the streets.

As the situation in Rwanda worsens, Paul is forced to make increasingly difficult choices. He risks his own life to save others, using all his skills and resources to keep as many people safe as possible. Along the way, he becomes a symbol of hope and courage to the people around him, even as he is hunted by the Hutu extremists who want to kill him and his family.

One of the most striking things about Hotel Rwanda is its depiction of the sheer horror of the conflict in Rwanda. The movie does not shy away from the brutality of the violence, showing scenes of genocide and massacre that are genuinely difficult to watch. But it also manages to find moments of beauty and humanity amid the chaos, showing how even in the darkest of times, people can come together to support each other and protect those they love.

The performances in Hotel Rwanda are excellent across the board. Don Cheadle’s portrayal of Paul Rusesabagina is remarkable, bringing a quiet strength and determination to the role that is inspiring to watch. Sophie Okonedo is equally impressive as Tatiana, showing the fear and bravery that come with living in a country torn apart by violence. Joaquin Phoenix, too, gives a nuanced performance as the journalist Jack Daglish, who struggles to understand what is happening in Rwanda and to find a way to make a difference.

Overall, Hotel Rwanda is a moving and unforgettable film that tells an important story about the power of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It is a harrowing depiction of one of the most tragic and senseless conflicts of our time, but it is also a tribute to the courage and resilience of the people who lived through it. It is a film that is not easy to watch, but it is one that everyone should see, to remember and honor those who suffered and died in Rwanda, and to inspire us to work towards a future where such atrocities never happen again.

Hotel Rwanda is a 2004 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 1 minute. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.1 and a MetaScore of 79.