Hotel Rwanda (2004)

The true-life story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who housed over a thousand Tutsi refugees during their struggle against the Hutu militia in Rwanda.

Director:

Terry George

Writers:

Keir Pearson, Terry George

Stars:

Xolani Mali, Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo

Top 250 #151 | Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 14 wins & 34 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Xolani Mali	...	Policeman
Don Cheadle	...	Paul Rusesabagina
Desmond Dube	...	Dube
Hakeem Kae-Kazim	...	George Rutaganda
Tony Kgoroge	...	Gregoire
Rosie Motene	...	Receptionist
Neil McCarthy	...	Jean Jacques
Mabutho 'Kid' Sithole	...	Head Chef (as Kid Sithole)
Nick Nolte	...	Colonel Oliver
Fana Mokoena	...	General Bizimungu
Jeremiah Ndlovu	...	Old Guard
Sophie Okonedo	...	Tatiana Rusesabagina
Lebo Mashile	...	Odette
Antonio David Lyons	...	Thomas Mirama
Leleti Khumalo	...	Fedens

Storyline

Ten years ago some of the worst atrocities in the history of mankind took place in the country of Rwanda--and in an era of high-speed communication and round the clock news, the events went almost unnoticed by the rest of the world. In only three months, one million people were brutally murdered. In the face of these unspeakable actions, inspired by his love for his family, an ordinary man summons extraordinary courage to save the lives of over a thousand helpless refugees, by granting them shelter in the hotel he manages.

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Plot Keywords:

hotel | refugee | militia | hotel manager | hutu | 

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Taglines:

When a country descended into madness and the world turned its back, one man had to make a choice

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 on appeal for violence, disturbing images and brief strong language

Details

Official Sites:

MGM/United Artists [us] Metropolitan Filmexport [fr]

Country:

UK USA Italy South Africa

Language:

English French

Release Date:

4 February 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hotel Ruanda

Filming Locations:

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Box Office

Budget:

$17,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$44,456 (South Africa) (10 June 2005)

Gross:

$77,125 (South Africa) (17 June 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

United Artists, Lions Gate Films, Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film was originally given an R rating (Restricted: no one under 17 without a parent or guardian) by the MPAA. Upon appeal by the producers, the film was re-rated as PG-13 - one of very few films that have ever been re-rated without additional editing.

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Goofs

When Paul Rusesabagina and Tatiana Rusesabagina are embracing on the roof, Tatiana wraps her left arm around Paul's back and behind his right shoulder but in the next shot her left arm is pulled in tight against Paul's chest.

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Quotes

[first lines]
George Rutaganda: [voiceover] When people ask me, good listeners, why do I hate all the Tutsi, I say, "Read our history." The Tutsi were collaborators for the Belgian colonists, they stole our Hutu land, they whipped us. Now they have come back, these Tutsi rebels. They are cockroaches. They are murderers. Rwanda is our Hutu land. We are the majority. They are a minority of traitors and invaders. We will squash the infestation. We will wipe out the RPF rebels. This is RTLM, Hutu power radio. Stay ...

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Crazy Credits

Apart from the movie's name, nothing else is shown in the opening titles.

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Connections

Referenced in Ugly Betty: Secretaries Day (2007)
Mentions by Daniel

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Soundtracks

"Mwali Wei"
Arranged & Performed by Dorothee Munyaneza (as Dorothee) & Benjamin Munyaneza

User Reviews

An absolute must see

The only comment I can give about this movie is - SEE IT. It's one of the most heart wrenching, yet beautiful movies I've ever seen. I really hope Don Cheadle and the movie receive Oscars! The acting is superb and the fact this is based upon a true story only makes it better. You may need some Kleenex as I was overwhelmed for a large part of this movie.

I had the honor of seeing this movie at a preview screening with the real "Paul" and his wife attending - what an absolute amazing experience to be in their presence. This movie will make you rethink everything about what it means to be human and how much we need to think about all our neighbours in this world.

Don't miss it!