Hotel Rwanda is a film about the Hutu-Tutsi war that led to the Rwandan genocide. Paul Rusesabagina owned des Mille Collines, a hotel that was managed by Sabena. Paul is Hutu and has a Tutsi wife Tatiana. Georges Rutaganda, who was an extremist Hutu, was also a leader in Interahamwe and provided supplies to hotel. Georges reveals in the movie that he doesn’t like Paul and Tatiana’s marriage. The situation in Rwanda begins to worsen, and Paul’s family is forced to watch as their neighbors are killed. Paul begins to bribe others with money and alcohol to protect his family. Paul and his neighbours were threatened by a Civil War officer, so Paul took them to the Hotel. As soon as people saw Paul’s actions, they began to flock to the hotel in order for them to be safe. In the film, UN peacekeepers and Red Cross workers, as well as orphanages, are featured. Colonel Oliver, the leader of the United Nation Peacekeeping Force was unable combat the Hutus due to the fact that they were not allowed to get involved in the genocide. The Hutu ambushed the UN while they were trying to evacuate the group from the hotel. This caused the group to return to the hotel. Paul is brave enough to ask the Rwandan Army general Augustin Bizimungu for help. However, after blackmailing him, Paul decides to have his family leave the hotel. Paul managed to save many people during the bloody war and then reunited them with their loved ones.
The Hotel Rwanda film shows that even in difficult times there is still hope, and everything comes at a cost. In a town that was undergoing violence and hatred, a strong individual had to step up and lead the community. Paul’s family, and people in the community who are brought into his Hotel pay for their freedom and survival. When the bribes stopped, so did the protection. In the film, the West’s refusal to provide assistance during the genocide led to UN peacekeepers refusing to use their arms. My main focus from a Bible perspective was on two key things: the Christ-like figures and the true faith test.
Paul Rusesabagina is the Christ-like character in Hotel Rwanda. Paul didn’t die on the crucified like Christ. However, he did make more sacrifices during his hard times than any human. Paul let over 1,000 people stay in his hotel during the war. In the movie, Paul went to the Army general to ask for his help. At first, the general refused, but Paul kept pressing him until he agreed to help. Third, Paul decided the hotel wasn’t safe anymore and he and others began walking to their safehouse with the United Nations. They continued to rescue people as they passed through and moved them to a refugee camp that was safer behind Tutsi line. Many people looked to Paul for help in the storm.
During these difficult times, people’s faith was tested. Some had it, while others did not. Tatiana, who is Paul’s wife, shows her faith in Christ by placing her trust both in him and Paul. Tatiana yelled “oh Jesus! No!” during the movie when she saw her neighbours being murdered. Tatiana looked for answers to Paul’s questions even though her family went through hell. Isaac (2004) reported that Paul told Tatiana he thanked God for their time together every day. Paul is thankful that no one knows when he will die, but he will protect his family and the people in the town while he is still alive. Colonel Oliver said that we were here to keep the peace, not make it. Colonel Oliver’s true faith was never displayed because he would constantly make smart remarks, and give Paul a hardtime. In those tough times, I didn’t think anyone should be name-calling or making insults to someone else who was fighting in war.
