Watch Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Romeo Dallaire

Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Romeo Dallaire is a powerful and emotionally charged documentary film from 2004 that chronicles the harrowing experiences of Canadian General Romeo Dallaire during one of the most devastating events in modern history - the Rwandan genocide. Directed by Peter Raymont, the film is based on the award-winning book of the same title written by General Dallaire himself. The documentary features a mixture of interviews with Dallaire and other key players in the Rwandan conflict, as well as footage and photographs from the time.

The film chronicles Dallaire's experiences as the head of the UN peacekeeping mission in Rwanda in 1994, a position he held during the time of the horrific genocide that claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in the small African nation. Dallaire's journey is presented as a heroic but ultimately heartbreaking attempt to prevent the unthinkable from happening.

The first part of the film provides a brief background on the history of Rwanda and the events leading up to the genocide. It then focuses on the efforts of the UN peacekeepers, led by Dallaire, to minimize the violence and attempt to end the conflict through peaceful negotiations. However, as Dallaire later recounts, the situation on the ground in Rwanda was far more desperate and dangerous than he or his colleagues ever imagined.

As the violence escalated, Dallaire and his team became increasingly frustrated with the lack of support and resources from the international community. The UN Security Council, including then-US President Bill Clinton and then-US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, are presented in the film as having failed to provide adequate assistance to the peacekeeping mission in Rwanda.

Shake Hands with the Devil presents both a tribute to Dallaire's bravery and an indictment of the international community's betrayal of Rwanda. The film shows how, despite difficult and dangerous circumstances, Dallaire remained committed to his mission and to the Rwandan people, even when others around him were giving up.

The documentary also explores the personal toll that Dallaire's experiences in Rwanda took on him. He suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and attempted suicide after returning home. Dallaire later became a vocal advocate for those who suffer from PTSD and other mental health conditions, and the film highlights his ongoing work in this area.

The film ends on a poignant note, with Dallaire reflecting on the events of the past and the lessons that can be learned from them. Despite the overwhelming tragedy and loss that he witnessed in Rwanda, Dallaire remains hopeful that humanity can learn from its mistakes and work toward a better future.

In conclusion, Shake Hands with the Devil is a gripping and emotionally charged documentary that provides a powerful and sobering account of one of the darkest moments in modern history. By following the journey of Romeo Dallaire, the film brings the viewer into the heart of the conflict in Rwanda and highlights the ongoing need for the international community to work together to prevent such atrocities from happening again in the future.