Ghosts of Rwanda

After countless interviews with government officials, diplomats, soldiers, and survivors of the genocide, Ghosts of Rwanda uncovers, first-hand accounts of the genocide from those who lived it, the diplomats who served during the genocide; the Tutsi survivors who recount the despicable murders of their friends and family, unfortunately slaughtered by Hutu friends and co-workers; and the U.N. peacekeepers in Rwanda who were ordered not to intervene in the massacre happening all around them. The documentary relives the Genocide by visiting the locations where thousands were killed. In numerous occasions there were remains from the dead bodies, clothes and bones from ten years earlier still there. The documentary showed actual footage of Tutsi’s being slaughtered and really depicts the horrific murders.

                Ghosts of Rwanda was a fantastic documentary; it was extremely informative and illustrated the genocide in a whole new light. It didn’t show the good in Rwanda, rather focussed on real life accounts of survivors who saw their family and friends murdered right in front of their eyes. Many of the real life accounts were hard to swallow because it showed the reality of the genocide and how hard it must have been to see your family killed and being powerless while they died. This documentary was fabulous because it showed real people and their stories. I connected to each one and felt their pain. One story in particular was when a little girl had to hide under hundreds of bodies so she wouldn’t be slaughtered by the interhamwe. The church was supposed to be safe, but one day the interhamwe discovered their location and there was nothing they could do to prevent their death. Ghost of Rwanda was an amazing documentary that portrayed the genocide in a whole new light; it showed me what really happened during these 100 days. I would recommend this documentary to an older audience because of its gruesomeness, that’s interested in learning more about the genocide. I would rate it 4/5 stars, it really taught me a lot about the struggles the Tutsi’s must have faced on a daily basis.  

Shake Hands with the Devil Review

Shake Hands With the Devil is a film about the charismatic Romeo Dallaire, a Lieutenant General in the Canadian Army and his struggle to “keep” peace in a hostile Rwanda. A just month after Dallaire arrives, the Rwandan’s President’s plane is shot down and he is unfortunately killed. Soon following all hell breaks loose when the well-planned genocide begins. Dallaire must stay composed and attempt to save as many lives as he can.

            This film did an amazing job portraying the genocide. It covered all aspects from who was involved to what caused the genocide. This fantastic depiction taught me a lot about the actual genocide, but also of Dallaire who was so poorly portrayed in Hotel Rwanda. The audience views a determined and humble man who must struggle with his own government to prevent the extermination of the Tutsi’s. This depiction of the film shows how much Dallaire actually did to save as many lives as he could. When he was ordered out he stayed, when his UN building was bombed he stayed, when his life was threatened he stayed. He risked his own life to prevent an extermination.

            The setting added a lot to the overall realism of the film. All the locations used in the film were the actual locations where people were killed in the genocide. Not only was this a fantastic addition to the movie, but it also showed the audience areas where thousands were slaughtered, men, women, and children. The setting incorporated a realistic aspect that helped me understand the struggles the Tutsi’s felt. Although I will never feel this myself I can infer their feelings and their mindset, these locations help me do so. The setting also shows how beautiful Rwanda is and you think to your self, how could such harmful acts occur in such a wonderful country? The landscape is amazing and brings a different perspective to the film; it allows us to see the good in Rwanda, not just the killings.  

            As a whole, Shake Hands with the Devil was an informative film the showed us the good and bad in Rwanda. It also portrayed Dallaire as he actually was unlike in Hotel Rwanda. As well this film provided the audience with great scenery, but also showed us the struggles the derived during the Genocide. I would recommend this movie for anyone interested in the Rwanda Genocide and would rate the film 3/5 stars for its overall effectiveness and depiction of the Genocide.