YEAR 10 ENGLISH FILM TEXT: TERM 1 2014

Introduction to the Film Hotel Rwanda is set in 1994 and is based on events that occurred during the Rwandan Genocide. What is Genocide? The deliberate killing of a large group of people, esp. those of a particular ethnic group or nation.

Rwandan Genocide Facts Rwanda is a country in Central Africa with a population of 10 million people. There are two main groups in Rwanda. The Tutsi were the upper class and the Hutu were their servants. Throughout Rwandan history thousands of Rwandans have been killed. However, in 1994 more than 800,000 were killed in no less than 100 days.

Rwandan Genocide Facts Map of Africa showing Rwanda

Rwandan Genocide Timeline 1860s: Germany colonizes Rwanda 1918: Treaty of Versailles—Belgium is give power to control Rwanda. 1926: Belgium introduces a system of ethnic identity cards differentiating Hutu and Tutsi.

Rwandan Genocide Timeline 1959: The Tutsi king, Mwaami Rudahigwa, dies. Hutus rise up and kill thousands of Tutsis. The Tutsis flee to neighbouring countries. The children of these refugees grow up to form the RPF (Rwandan Patriotic Front) – a rebel group.

Rwandan Genocide Timeline 1962: Rwanda gains independence from Belgium. Wide-scale killing of Tutsis and massive outflow of refugees, most to Uganda. 1967: Further massacres of Tutsis. It is estimated that by the mid-1960s, half of the Tutsi population is living outside Rwanda.

Rwandan Genocide Timeline 6 April 1994: The President of Rwanda is killed when his plane is shot down. 7 April 1994: The Rwandan armed forces (FAR) and the interahamwe set up roadblocks and go from house to house killing Tutsis and moderate Hutu politicians. UN forces stand by while the slaughter goes on, forbidden to intervene by their “monitoring” mandate.

Rwandan Genocide Timeline 8 April 1994: The Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) launches a major offensive to end the genocide and rescue 600 of its troops surrounded in Kigali. 21 April 1994: The UN cuts the level of its forces from 2,500 to 250 following the murder of 10 Belgian soldiers guarding the Hutu prime minister, Agathe Uwiliyingimana.

Rwandan Genocide Timeline 30 April 1994: The UN Security Council spends eight hours discussing the Rwandan crisis. The resolution condemning the killing omits the word “genocide” which would have legally obliged the UN to act to “prevent and punish” the perpetrators.

Rwandan Genocide Timeline 17 May 1994: The UN finally agrees to send 6,800 troops to Rwanda with power to defend civilians. The United States forbids its spokespersons to use the word “genocide.” Deployment of the mainly African UN forces is delayed as the United States argues with the UN over the cost of providing the heavily armoured vehicles it promised.

Rwandan Genocide Timeline 22 June 1994: With still no sign of UN deployment, the French create a “safe area” where some are protected but many more are killed as they reveal themselves in the expectation of being protected. July 1994: The final defeat of the FAR by the RPF.

Film Synopsis Hotel Rwanda is based on real characters and events that happened in Rwanda in 1994. It focuses on the efforts of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager, who hid hundreds of Tutsi refugees. As the genocide begins, Paul’s family and friends look to him for leadership. Through the hotel he has many connections to political leaders and other important people.

Film Synopsis Paul rescues his family and bargains with a Rwandan Army officer for the safety of his friends and family. They seek refuge in the hotel. More refugees flood into the hotel as the UN refugee camp becomes overcrowded and dangerous. As more and more refugees arrive at the hotel, Paul must divert Hutu soldiers, care for the refugees and maintain the appearance of a high class hotel. The rest you will discover as you watch the film.

That means NO DISRUPTIONS. Watching the film The film Hotel Rwanda contains many graphic and confronting images. If at any stage you feel uncomfortable, please speak to a teacher. You have been given a character sheet to help you identify the characters and follow the narrative. Please use this sheet throughout the film. Our expectations are that you watch the film whilst being respectful to your peers. That means NO DISRUPTIONS.