Here are the options. You can search online for a synopsis of each, but all have been recommended:
Bamako (this relates a lot to our class; more info here
The others you've probably heard of:
The Last King of Scotland
Blood Diamond
Hotel Rwanda
Sankofa (may be difficult to find)
Out of Africa
Roots (any one of the series)
Cry Freedom
The Power of One
The Constant Gardener
SO POST YOUR REVIEWS HERE, TO THIS ENTRY:
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
24 comments:
Blood Diamond Movie Review: Nothing But Pawns
Scenes of African youth being brainwashed that the only way to have any power is through violence, rebels raiding towns and opening fire on everyone and everything they see, and anarchy where violence and the problem of displaced people taking place in entire regions of the country are reminders to audiences all over the world of just a few of the results of using Africans as pawns in order to make a profit and to appease materialistic desires. Similar to how Leonardo DiCaprio used Djimon Hounsou’s character, Solomon, in order to get a cut of the pink diamond, countries all over the world are using Africans also to achieve selfish goals as part of their hidden agendas. The American reporter in the movie, Maggie, explained to DiCaprio why she is reporting on the events in Sierra Leone when she said that people in the world would not buy diamonds if they knew their purchases were in anyway fueling violence in Africa. Nonetheless, people are buying diamonds being dug up in Africa, and it is fueling violence there.
The destruction of lives and deterioration of many cultural values and personal goals of numerous Africans is illustrated in Solomon’s family. While he hoped for his son to be a doctor one day, the events and violence in Africa turned a future doctor into a killer when the rebels brainwashed him and turned him into a merciless murderer. While the brain drain philosophy mainly addresses the intellectual drain on the country being caused by the most intelligent people studying outside the country only to never return, another aspect which must be addressed is how the violence in Africa is taking many of the African youth out of the classroom or away from a safe family environment and placing them into an army or an early grave. DiCaprio explained how diamond companies are “not financing the war, but they are paying to keep it going,” and as long as this happens, there will be great loss suffered in Africa as well as the rest of the world who appears to desire diamonds from Africa instead of peace in Africa.
However, there is hope in the movie that Africans, and other people as well, can find a way to resist temptation and violence. DiCaprio’s transformation from a mercenary to a humanitarian was one example of how a person can change his/her perspective and actions upon becoming more familiar and knowledgeable of the circumstances in Africa. Maggie stated early in the movie that there is always good happening somewhere. Although it did not seem like there was much good in Africa when one is watching this movie, the ability of redemption and a new beginning was illustrated by Solomon’s son’s ability to return to his role in a loving family even after being brainwashed and forced to kill African families. In spite of the unspeakable actions and events which took and continue to take place in Africa, the movie reminds its audience that there is more to Africa than atrocities and violence; there are also strong family and community values. As a bartender said to DiCaprio, “Africans were here before the white man, and they will be here long after you are gone,” it is important to think of Africa as Africa and Africans as our brothers as opposed to thinking of both as only pawns to fulfill materialistic or political desires. -Randy Ebright
Angela says:I watched two movies out of the list. One of them was on HBO Friday night, entitled,"The Last King of scotland." A young doctor takes up mission work in Uganda, but, he is quickly seduced by the power and prestige of being by the Generals side who was also the head of the country. Little by little he lets his principles be overtaken. When he realizes his error he asks to leave, but, to no avail. He then became drunk and messed around with the third wife to the leader. This is of course found out, she's is dismembered and he is tortured, but, escapes with the refugees out of the country, due to the help of a fellow doctor, who is murdered for helping him out. He was considered the ,"white monkey," while he was under this General's power. All in all this movie demonstrated how a leader can become puffed up with a sense of power and cruelty, for 300,000 people died under his reign. This was a true story, for in 1979 he was overthrown by the Israeli's 48 hrs. after the hostages were released. The next movie that I watched was,"Out of Africa," on Saturday afternoon. Again this is based on a true story. It occurred in Kenya, East Africa in the year of 1913. A Baroness came to Africa where she had a farm with her husband. She tried to cultivate it at the same time he was cultivating affairs. He gave her syphllis so she had to go back to Denmark to receive medical attention. When she came back she set up a school for the children. She tried her best for them. She also began an affairat this time. Most of this movie was about this affair and her emotions, backed up by beautiful scenery. In the end the farm burned, she lost her man to an airplance accident, even though he was done with her anyways, and so she was then done with Africa. She left to go home to never return, even though she stayed in touch. A significant line of hers was about how the white man took this country from the people. It seemed she had respect from both sides, and also a qualm of conscience that she was so wrapped up in her emotions that she let these people down who looked up to her is what I got out of it. It was a very moving story.
Blood Diamond, portrays a riveting truth, based in 1999, about Sierra Leone's diamond crusades. A Mende fisherman, Solomon Vandy, is sent to work in the diamond mines of Sierra Leon. This travesty seen in this movie is only a mere shadow of what is actually going on in Africa today.
A civil war between the African government and the diamond thieving, civilian killers makes this movie more impacting than any other I have seen before. Since it does portray such vile and grotesque scenes throughout the movie, Blood Diamond does make people wonder whether or not or why not the U.S. government is doing anything to help stop the "blood diamond" thieves since the U.S. purchases at least 15% of the world's diamonds.
This movie informs the everyday viewer about the effects of African killers and what they do to the African civilians on a daily basis.
Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou) teams up with Danny (Leonardo DiCaprio), a Zimbabwe native, to stop the diamond thieves and rescue the large ;ink diamond that Vandy buried into the dirt when he was threatened by a Diamond killer. In the process, Vandy's son, Dia, becomes a young child soldier, forced enlistee in the diamond crisis. When Dia becomes forced to enlist, Danny and Solomon try to save him. It makes think about the young boys who are forced to kill civilians and even their families in order to protect themselves on their parents' orders. The young child soldiers are beaten and tortured and forced to do things they are not prepared to do. In other words, they are brainwashed at a very young age allowing for a future stronger army. It is a shame that the United States refuses to do anything to step in and help stop the atrocities.
-Shannon Marie Tschirhart
I watched Hotel Rwanda, a true story about Paul Rusesabagina, played by Don Cheadle, who was in charge of a hotel when the genocide begins in Rwanda in 1994. Paul took care of not only his family but almost 1268 refugees in the hotel. He dealt with many things throughout the story but always stood up to others. It is unbelievable to see that news reporters would film what was going on yet no one did anything about the genocide. Paul was a great leader through it all. This was an amazing story. The genocide ended July 1994 and Paul and his family moved to Belgium. In the end, almost a million people died. Those who committed these massive slayings were charged and deserved so. We could all learn from this story and relate it to Darfur. We know from before how many people have died as a result of genocide. We should be putting an end to genocide in Darfur. History re-lives it self once again.
I too watched the movie Blood Diamond. This movie is set in Sierra Leone during a civil war between government soldiers and rebel forces. This movie shows the rebel forces using diamonds to fund their war effort, often trading them directly for arms. A main character, Solomon, is captured by these rebel forces and forced to work in diamond fields. It is there that he comes across a large pink diamond, which he proceeds to hide. The movie continues when the other main character, Danny Archer, learns of Solomon's discovery and teams up with him to eventually get the diamond for himself. However, in the end, Solomon is reunited with his family and given a large compensation for the diamond. The movie shows the struggles of everyday life when a civil war is being faught. There are scenes of rebel soldiers forcing their ideas upon young boys who then become brainwashed into killing innocent people. There are also scenes of villages being burned to the ground. Innocent people are being murdered. It is a horrible thing to watch. This movie opens the world to the events that are going on in Africa. Knowing that these diamonds are costing innocent lives should make people stop and think. Is a diamond ring or necklace worth it? That is the question this movie asks its audience.
-Samantha Larson
I also watched the movie The Last King of Scotland. This movie is about a young doctor named Nicholas, who goes to Uganda to escape from the life his father has set for him. He works in a small clinic on the countryside with two other doctors, Dr. Merrit and his wife Sara. Once Nicholas meets a General Amin and fixes his hand, Amin asks Nicholas to become his personal physician which Nicolas takes after some consideration. While he is working with Amin, Nicholas begins to loose his moral standards. He becomes involuntarily involved in the murdering of another Ugandan advisor. He also has an affair with one of Amin's wives names, Kay. She becomes pregnant and must have an abortion but the secret is exposed and Kay is violently beaten and killed. Knowing that he has caused her death, Nicholas comes to the conclusion that Amin must die. He plans to poison him until Amin figures out what is going on. Nicholas is beaten but then is saved by the help of another doctor who gives his life in order for Nicholas to return to Scotland and tell of Amin's atrocities.
-Samantha Larson
I watched Hotel Rwanda. This is the story of a hotel manager, Paul, who manages to save himself, his family, and hundreds of others during the genocide that took place in 1994. Paul moves from being in disbelief about the conflict, to realizing the reality of the situation, to taking a very proactive stance in fighting against the conflict. Even with the relativly small amount of graphic scenes in the movie, it becomes painfully apparent that the level of devastation makes Hitler look like a humanitarian. The fact that the developed nations of the world were aware of what was happening and stood by and did nothing except save their own citizens is sickening. It became very clear that the wealthy capitalist world really did not care unless their property or assets were being threatened. I am trying very hard to focus on the fact that Paul, a single person, was able to make such a huge difference in the lives of many people. He gained tremendous strength and courage from his family. Without focusing on that I tend to keep returning to the idea that what if more people like Paul had acted, from positions where they could have had an even bigger impact - how many lives would that have saved? What if even one U.S. official or diplomat had taken more initiative? When I think about all of the innocent children that were slaughtered... I am not going to be able to eat again today.
Shanti Bradley
Charlie Castiglia: I watched The Constant Gardener.
What I will say is that against the recent backdrop of US tragedy (in New Orleans) this film takes on some interesting personal dimensions. The central metaphor is that of the constant (faithful) gardener, the man who tends to his own world and excludes the tragedy of real life outside the lush and perfect walls of his own creations. It's a self defense he practices until sordid tragedy breaks through. And the realization of the gardener is that he doesn't know, and can never know, what others are experiencing. He is naive, secluded, pristine, innocent. He is loveable and loved, but protected and childlike. His question is how to play a meaningful role, and effect a cosmic solution. And in the grey, drab superficial society of London, there is no answer. In the barren, unforgiving landscape of Africa there is only torture and death. When understood as metaphor, this is not a sappy love story; it is a bleak and uncompromising depiction of the ugly realities of the world. And the constant gardner has only dreams--of the perfect garden, and the perfect lover. Neither of these illusions are real, and neither offer any solutions to the grim realities of the world in which we live. Beautiful imagery in this film (though sometimes a little heavy-handed),and wonderful cinematography (though sometimes a little trite).
Charlie Castiglia: I watched Blood Diamond.
This is one of those socially conscious dramas -- "The Constant Gardener" -- that gives middle-class America the illusion that they're helping solve an ongoing crisis in Africa. Yet as statistics spouted in "Blood Diamond" prove, America is largely to blame for the problem. The problem in this case is the civil war in Sierra Leone, largely financed (and fought over) diamonds. The film focuses on a quarter of people whose lives intersect amid the bloodshed: Smuggler Danny Archer who makes up for in guile what he lacks in conscience; reporter Maddy Bowen, who wants to make a difference, but needs Archer's help to dig up the cold, hard facts; fisherman Solomon Vandy, who is dragooned into working the diamond mines; and Solomon's young son Dia, who is brainwashed by the rebel forces into becoming a mindless killing machine. None of what happens is pretty (though Maddy somehow looks beautiful even after being chased through the jungle), and virtually everybody is a victim -- except the rich folks who control the diamond market... and spend two months' salary shopping there. Kudos to writer Charles Leavitt and director Edward Zwick for raising awareness of this plague of Africa, but in the end, they are -- like Maddy -- just storytellers who can't control the madness they portray.
Charlie Castiglia: I watched the King of Scotland.
When naivety and power converge, tragic things often emerge. Such was the case in 1970’s Uganda. Though The Last King of Scotland deals with Idi Amin's rise to power, the film's main character is Nicholas Garrigan. Though McAvoy does an admirable job playing the naive fish-out-of-water doctor, it is Forrest Whitaker's Idi Amin who grabs the spotlight (and your throat) and won't let go. This may be Whitaker's best role to date. The moment he first appears the tension becomes palpable. When he smiles, you sense the evil behind the grin. Throughout the film you cannot predict what he will do next, a reflection of Amin’s instability and a testament to the talent that Whitaker brings to the role. This is Kevin Macdonald's first dramatic feature after directing two stellar documentaries (One Day In September, Touching The Void). Here he works with a gifted team, but his editor deserves particular praise. Much like Steven Spielberg who used Verna Fields to edit Jaws, and Martian Scorsese who had Thelma Schoonmaker cut Raging Bull, Macdonald has found in Justine Wright a master editor. Her feel for Amin’s twisted mind is found in every cut. As the film’s drama increases, her edits shorten. As the horror of Amin’s reign unfolds, visual reality fragments. Her work is a tour de force of tempo and restraint. This film follows in the footsteps of other powerful African dramas, such as "The Constant Gardener". I sense in few years another moving film will be made about the currently unfolding tragedy in Darfur. We can only hope at some point the fodder for these films will no longer exist.
Charlie Castiglia: I watched Hotel Rwanda.
Don't be surprised if Don Cheadle burrows his gentle, soft-spoken way into your heart -- and stays there long after the lights go up and your thoughts return to "ordinary" things.... It's a magical performance by a heretofore underrated actor. But the film also defies stereotypes -- focusing on an educated, affluent, well-connected African (who, as the film opens, does not intervene in the beating of a neighbor) who stumbles into a heroic role. It also makes clear that the explosive hostility between Hutus and Tutsis is not inbred -- as cross-cultural marriages, friendships and staffs abound in 1990s Rwanda; it takes shock-jock radio commentators and local bullies to get the Hutus to see Tutsis as "cockroaches" and incite them to violence. Even then, the differences are so subtle that police and insurgents have to ask for names and passports before deciding whether to shoot or stab potential victims. This is a story that resonates in a way that few others do -- because it took place beneath the radar screens through which most Westerners view the world. It's not inspiring so much as it is eye-opening. Definitely inappropriate for children. Adults may also find the unremitting terror hard to take. But it may very well change the way you look at the world -- from now on.
Out of Africa:
Today I watched for the first time, "Out of Africa." In an effort to bring a true documentary to life, Meryl Streep plays a strong-willed woman, Baroness Karen Blixon. She and her husband, Bror, a hunter, run a coffee plantation in Kenya circa 1914. What stuck out the most to me while watching the film, the first and most interesting aspect I noticed was the fact that white European civilians were meshing with the African tribal people. The white colonists employed many of the African civilians in an effort to give them a better life. Karen Bixon tends to the children and people of Kenya, doctoring and mentoring them and enable to a better life.
The Baroness demands to join the militia in Africa against Germany and in the process develops syphilis, a man-killing disease at the time. After being cured and finding out she is unable to have children ever, she veers aways from her husband and onto a mysterious hunter, Danys.
With her love of the land, the people, and the adventure, Mrs. Bixon envelops her passion to make a difference in Africa. Paying close attention to the culture, social structure, and difference between the Africans and white colonists, Karen offers a helping hand to those in need and those who are lost and looking for an identity.
Aside from the romantic atmosphere of this film, seeing the early 20th century's view on African life and how it has differed from then until now, has significantly changed in terms of social interaction between Africans and White people. It is simple to see that people do not live in easement and for a purpose now as much as they did then. It is almost as if self-greed and ignorance have taken over the world and are continuing to do so.
-Shannon Marie Tschirhart
Tim Holewczynski: Hotel Rwanda
This story that stars Don Cheadle is about the events that took place in Rwanda Africa. Hotel Rwanda is based off of real events that happened in the country in 1994. Two groups, the Hutu and the Tutsi, the Hutu being the larger group while the Tutsi were the minority. The Tutsi formerly had control of the government and because of this fact, tensions have risen between the two groups and their differing views. Paul, who is played by Don Cheadle, runs an upper class hotel and services head Rwandan officials. Paul is offered in the beginning of the movie to become a Hutu by George Rutaganda, who is a Hutu extremist. Paul refuses and thus sets the stage for his confrantation with the Hutu in his hotel. Paul eventually buys his way as well as other family members and friends out of being imprisoned and safely arrive at a refugee camp.
Tim Holewczynski: Blood Diamond
This movie was one of the best to be created in it's time as Blood Diamond brings to attention the issue in Sierra Leone Africa. The country is torn apart between government soldiers and and rebel forces. The main rebel force, the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), searches for diamonds and trades them directly for ammunition they use to wage war on the rest of the country. Solomon Vandy is a fisherman who is captured and forced to dig for diamonds for the RUF. Vandy stumbles on a rare pink colored diamond and while trying to hide it, is seen by Captain Poison.
Solmon is released from prison in exchange for his help in searching for the diamond. Danny Archer is the man who wants to obtain the diamond in order to repay Colonel Coetzee, who is directly involved in the blood diamond trade. Solomon uses the aide of Maddy Bowen, a reporter, to help find the rest of his family while helping Archer search for the diamond. Solomon finds his son Dia who is brainwashed by the rebel forces and threatens to kill Solomon. Archer kills Coetzee because he realize he would kill Solomon and himself after Solomon found the diamond. The movie ends with Bowen having an article to write about, Solomon is reunited with his family, and Archer is flown away to safety. The movie highlights a real conflict going on about the world, however, publicity does not solve the problem.
I watched Blood Diamond. It was an interesting look on how a certain resource can affect the lives of so many people. So many people were killed over this resource and the sad thing is that the Americans and Europeans knew that this was happening and did not care as long as they were making money off of it. I saw a show on A&E called Blood Diamonds and it really seemed to be the same story. Not the story with Decaprio but the part about how the investors knew this was going on and would rather see the blood shed then lose money. It is a prime example of what people will give up just to make a dollar. Geoff Davidson
I watched Hotel Rwanda. It is a very powerful and saddening film It is difficult to talk about a film like this and use terms like what a great movie etc.. since it is about such a horrific event and a movie is a form of entertainment. I was caught up in the film right from the start, Don Cheadle made this role his own, every scene that he was in showed another angle another side of a man torn by so many things from what he knew to be right to what he knew in order to survive. It was his eyes that riveted me, each and every thought that he had as Paul was mirrored there - he was a man torn between so many things whether to just concern himself with his family or include his neighbors or the plight of strangers as well. I was so impressed also with the way he carried himself with such quiet dignity even while you knew that inside he must have been seething. He moved with such grace like a ballet dancer, even his fingers as they moved carried expression. The rest of the cast was also superb, poor Nick Nolte always so powerful and breaking the rules and yet here unable to be a total rebel. Geoff Davidson
I watched Blood Diamond. It was disheartening to see children being brainwashed into thinking that killing innocent people is okay. I could not believe all of the destruction that was occuring in Sierre Leone. It is an important movie to see though because not many people know that there are people in Africa who sell the diamonds to buy weapons and such. This movie has probably helped some people see the true meaning of blood diamond.
The first movie I watched was Blood Diamond and it was a pretty intense movie. It was shocking how children in situations like these can be so manipulated and brainwashed to believe that the people that captured them really do know whats best for them. Even though I'm tired of Leo DiCaprio dying in every movie, I found it really fitting and touching that before he died he held the red dirt in his hand and truly understood the atrocities of which he was a part of and was truly remorseful. Amazing movie!
Abby
The other movie I watched was Tears of the Sun. This movie was fantastic! The best line of the movie that isn't even spoken is that evil can triumph when good men do nothing. This is so fitting for so many things that are going on in the world where we are aware yet still decide to do nothing. This movie really makes the viewer think about what they would do if faced with the same dilemna as shown in the movie. Evil really can be overthrown when good people actually decide to do something to change it.
Abby
I watched "The Last King of Scotland." The movie was based on true events and real people. It tells the story of a young Scottish doctor in the 1970's who chooses Uganda to practice medicine in. He wants a change of pace, scenery, and some adventure, and feels his skills would be very useful to the people there. On his very first bus trip into the country, he is informally informed about a military coo (sp?), but is assured that there is nothing to worry about. A new president, Gen. Idi Amin, has just been elected.
The doctor works at a mission healing poor rural people. He attends the president's visit and gets caught up in the excited atmosphere. By chance, he is called later to aid the president with an injury. This begins a long and what would become dangerous relationship.
Amin invites the doctor to become his personal physician, and, although reluctant at first, he is swept up in the lap of luxury and accepts the position. Soon he is accepting duties that exceed his place as 'doctor;' and Amin begins to call him his closest personal advisor. Amin seems like a cheerful, upbeat and charismatic leader who genuinely wants to see Uganda advance, but later the doctor finds out that he is brutally murdering any potential threats to his life or military regime. Over 300,000 Ugandans were killed before he was deposed.
The doctor tries to escape, but he makes the terrible mistake of getting one of Amin's wives pregnant, and is brutally reprimanded when he tries to poison Amin to death in exchange for help from the British Embassy in getting home. By the end we see Amin for the monster he is. It was such a good movie, very true in depicting African culture and giving some insight into the politics of running such nations. Highly recommended!!!
Kirsten Redfield
I watched blood diamond...i am not going to tell the story line or anything because plenty of people of already did that. After watching it..it really makes you just say wow. The way the kids were brain washed and made to believe that killing ok is just unbelievable. when the kid didn't even recognize his own dad and felt no guilt about killing someone is really sad. The blood diamond is a situation more people should be aware of but the world just looks the other way about Africa most of the time.
I also watched roots. I only watched a couple of hours worth. "My name is Kunta..Kunta Kentaaa"..This movie is an all time classic. Although it is a good movie, it does portray a great job of the slave trade that went on in Africa. All those slave in such a small confine with many of them dieing on the ships. Africans being striped from their tribes with just a snap of a finger and boarded on the ship to be slaves. So many of them died on the way over there and they just tossed them over the side of the ship. Whenthe reached America, they were just auctioned off like ebay...all an all..I love Kunta Kentaaaa
I thought both movies were absolutely fantastic.
The Last King of Scotland: This movie was about Nicholas, a young, free spirit from Scotland, ready to save/help the poor in Uganda. Upon working in the rural impoverished areas of Uganda, he involved himself with the locals and their lifestyle. In doing so, he met and became a close advisor/personal doctor of the Ugandan President, Idi Amin. Nicholas soon found himself being showered with gifts, better sleeping conditions, security, and public display. It became apparent that the Ugandan President had taken Nicholas away from his purpose and replaced it with murder, deceit, paranoia, hidden dangers,lies,and freedom. This was a really good movie that was based upon the cruel and ruthless, 197o's Ugandan President. Idi Amin Dada claimed to have ruled in favor for a better Uganda, instead he killed hundreds of thousands Ugandans, violated human rights, and became known as the Butcher of Uganda. After viewing The Last King of Scotland, I researched further and found, it were rumored Idi Amin ate and drank the blood of some of the victims he killed.
Hotel Rwanda: Is about a country torn apart because of Ethnic cleansing. Africans slaughtering and dividing Africans because of tribe differentiation. Don Cheadle, an ordinary man, whom didn't have military or political affiliation, saved thousands of people and made a difference while neighboring countries who had the power to stop it, didn't.
Dietra Pickens.
Nichole Molnar: Blood Diamond and Hotel Rwanda
Blood Diamond is a moving movie that portrays a country torn apart by the struggle between government soldiers and rebel forces, it takes place in Sierra Leone during a civil war. I am inspired by the female character,Maddy Bowen, a journalist who puts her own life on risk to tell the stories of the countries affected but struggles with facing the government on how to make an affect and change what is happening. A diamond smuggler, Leo DiCaprio and a fisherman join together on a mission to recover a rare pink diamond and rescue the fisherman's son who was turned into a child soldier. Maddy ultimately helps Solomon, the fisherman, find his family. At first Danny uses Solomon in his quest to find the diamond, but once Maddy discovers this, she does not help them unless Danny tells her about the diamond market to stop the flow of blood diamonds out of Africa and cutting off funding for Civil War. After a long battle and killing Colonel Coetzee, Archer and Solomon retrieve the diamond and are reunited with Dia, his son. Ultimately, Archer dies of a gunshot wound, but first arranges for Solomon to be reunited with his family. In the end, Maddy takes pictures of the deal and publishes the pictures in a magazine which exposes the hidden truth of blood diamonds. This movie was very educational and consisted of information about conflicts still happening in Africa and around the world which many are oblivious to.
Hotel Rwanda is about the 1994 genocide in Rwanda which most of the world ignored at the time. A civil war caused the genocide because of a conflict between the Hutus and Tutsis tribes. The movie's hero, Paul is the manager of Hotel Rwanda and has a wife and children. Even though he is a Hutu and his wife and friends are Tutsis, he turns down an offer to join an extreme anti-Tutsi group. When the war comes near Paul's home, he is a leader in offering his hotel for people's safety but the hotel becomes overcrowded. The UN is in Rwanda to help, but are not allowed to use weapons so are pretty much useless. Before Paul leaves the hotel, he makes his wife promise that if he dies, she should take the children and jump off the roof rather than be painfully tortured. Paul leaves and talks to the Hutu general, Augustin, who is wanted by the UN for being a criminal of war, and talks him into stopping the attacks on the hotel. By the time they get back to the hotel, though, innocent people are being murdered. Paul and his family are given exit visas and almost are killed by Hutus on their way to a refugee camp but are aided by Tutsis. They are reunited with Paul's nieces in the end and he is known for saving over 1,000 lives for his courage. This movie should be required of all students to watch because it clearly shows what is currently happening in Darfur. Watching the bloodshed in this movie should be incentive for people to change what is happening right now.
Hotel Rwanda:
This movie was about the horrific genocide that took place in Rwanda in 1994. The ever rising tension was between the Hutus and the Tutsis. The main character Paul (Don Cheadle) is Hutu, and his wife, friends, and neighbors are Tutsis. As civil war breaks out with the broadcasted saying “We must cut the tall trees down”, Paul tries to keep a level head and just protect his family through the connections he has made by working at the hotel. Before he knows it, he is looked upon as a leader by many because he is the only Hutu they can trust. He decides to take everyone to the hotel for refuge and is repeatedly called a Cockroach for helping the “Enemy.” Soon enough the hotel is out of supplies and the UN cannot do anything but serve as a false sense of security. Paul tries to make more moves by discussing matters with a Hutu army general. All goes haywire, the hotel is being attacked, and Paul is able to get his family out with the UN and locate his nieces at a refugee camp. This movie shows how real life can be, how the world continuously turns a blind eye to injustice, and opens our heart to make a difference.
Blood Diamond:
This movie takes place in 1999 during the Sierra Leone Civil War. I was especially drawn to this move due to the fact that it is so close to Ghana, Africa. As the struggle between government soldiers and rebel forces continue, the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) take control. The RUF capture one of the main characters Solomon Vandy, and enslave him to work in the diamond fields so that their war effort can be funded. Solomon’s family has been torn apart with the majority at a refugee camp, and his son actually being mentored to be a leader for the RUF. Solomon finds a rare large diamond and hides it right before the camp is attacked by government troops. Danny Archer (Leo <3) trades arms for diamonds with rebel forces for a living. He gets caught smuggling diamonds, gets thrown in jail, and overhears everything about the large hidden diamond. Danny black-males Solomon and tells him that he will help him find his family only if Solomon shows him where the “Pink” is at. The two agree and Danny makes another deal with the humanist reporter Maddy. Danny gives up all the information that she wants to bust the story wide open, and Solomon and Danny get access to use the press convoy to find the diamond. Danny ends up dying in Africa, gives the diamond back to Solomon and his son Dia, Solomon uses the money to reunite with his family, and Maddy floods the media with a story and proof about the Blood Diamond Ring. This movie take an inside look at how sad diamonds are found, produced, and sold. It really makes you take a step back and realize the true meaning of Blood Diamond. Limited happiness over a stone is not worth the enslavement and slaughtering of a nation to produce it for arms that fuel a civil war.
-Wes Solmos
Post a Comment