Hotel Rwanda (2004)
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A hotelier risks everything to provide sanctuary for refugees during the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
The story
In April 1994, Rwanda is engulfed in a civil war between the Hutu-controlled government and Tutsi rebels. In Kigali, Paul Rusesabagina manages the Belgian-owned Hôtel des Mille Collines and lives with his Tutsi wife Tatiana. As the Hutu extremists begin a campaign of violence, Paul must navigate a rapidly deteriorating situation. While the international community remains largely inactive, Paul attempts to maintain the hotel's operations as a sanctuary. He must manage the safety of his family and the growing number of refugees seeking refuge within the hotel's walls, all while dealing with the looming threat of the surrounding violence and the complexities of local politics.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In April 1994, Rwanda descends into civil war. Paul Rusesabagina, a hotelier in Kigali, manages the Hôtel des Mille Collines with his Tutsi wife, Tatiana. As Hutu extremists begin a genocide against the Tutsis, Paul becomes a protector for those seeking refuge. He navigates a complex landscape involving a local general, a cynical supplier, and a dismissive UN peacekeeping force. As the situation escalates, the hotel becomes overcrowded with hundreds of refugees. Paul must balance the logistics of a functioning hotel with the desperate need for safety. During a supply run, he witnesses the brutality of the Interahamwe militia. Eventually, a deal is struck to move the refugees to safety in a UN convoy. The film concludes with an epilogue revealing that Paul saved over 1,200 people, while several antagonists were tried for war crimes.
- First release year
- 2004
- Runtime (minutes)
- 121
- Production countries
- United States; United Kingdom; South Africa; Italy
- Original languages
- English; French; Kinyarwanda
- Directors
- Terry George
- Writers
- Terry George · writer; Keir Pearson · writer
- Cast and characters
- Don Cheadle · Paul Rusesabagina; Sophie Okonedo · Tatiana Rusesabagina; Nick Nolte · Colonel Oliver; Joaquin Phoenix · Jack Daglish; Desmond Dube · Dube; Cara Seymour · Pat Archer; Fana Mokoena · General Augustin Bizimungu
- Genres
- biographical; historical drama; political drama
- Themes
- genocide; political corruption; humanity; refugee crisis
- Tone and mood
- sobering; heartfelt; harrowing
- Premise and plot tags
- historical; biographical; war; survival
- Source material / true-story basis
- A screenplay by George and Keir Pearson, based on the real-life experiences of Paul Rusesabagina.
- Content notes
- violence
- Reception
- The film was critically acclaimed and received largely positive reviews from mainstream critics, being featured on several 'best of' lists for 2004.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 91% · scale: percentage · review count: 188; Metacritic · score: 79 · scale: 100 · review count: 40
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Actor · Nomination; Academy Award · Best Supporting Actress · Nomination; Academy Award · Best Original Screenplay · Nomination; Toronto International Film Festival People's Choice Award · Winner · Win
- Production trivia
- The real Hôtel des Mille Collines was not used; a vacant hospital in South Africa was the primary filming location.; The character of Colonel Oliver was inspired by the real-life UN force commander Roméo Dallaire.; The film's soundtrack was released on the Commotion label in 2005.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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