Back to the Future
No, not the movie. I mean it's back to thinking about our future careers, our future exams, and our summer plans though possibly not in that order. After a long and relaxing break, it's been quite hectic getting all this reading done for Con Law, Property, Biomedical Topics, and Civ Pro. Can't forget CORE either, though that class seems to hold at least the promise of relevancy.A group of us 1.5L's (the glass is half full) went to see Hotel Rwanda at the Cedar Lee Theatre last night. For me, the movie was more than the African version of Schindler's List. While the Jewish Holocaust claimed more victims in its unrelenting, calculated and systematic methodology, the lawless Hutu's, Interhamwe forces and complicit Army factions in Hotel Rwanda seem more terrifying due to the abrupt, uncontolled chaos they unleashed against their fellow Tutsi brethren. Perhaps the most poignant moment of the film was the camera crewman's prophetic words to an anxious Paul Rusesabagina (played masterfully by Don Cheadle) that "the world will say, 'That's horrible!' and return to their dinner" doing nothing to stop the impending bloodstorm. The clip of a political spokeswoman from the United States demurring on what "acts of genocide" meant and how many acts were required before any intervension was authorized succintly illustrated the intransigence of this nation's hesitancy to intervene, but also highlighted the extent to which the world prioritized its decisions partly on the U.S.' rationale.
Nick Nolte (as U.N. Colonel Oliver) never upstaged the central message of the film, but was a strong supporting character who highlighted the inability or (more probably) the unwillingness of the Western world to intervene in a significant fashion. His plaintive command to his troops not to fire AT the Interhawme was just wrenching to witness, as all he could do was take his sidearm (a pistol for crying out loud!) and shoot at the ground, hoping the superior Interhawme forces wouldn't call his bluff. However, I did wonder why a charater with a Canadian flag on his shoulder spoke with a Southern accent...
Nonetheless, Hotel Rwanda is a must-see. Though graphic in its depictions of lawless violence, it is not gratuitous; the element of unseen but clearly felt fear is what holds the audiences' rapt attention. However, there were lighter moments in the film that take the edge off what would otherwise be a serial barrage of tragic scenes. If nothing else, the resourcefulness and courage of an enterprising hotel owner in Rwanda encourages the film's viewers to ask questions about our country's global perspective on world events. Compassionate conservatives and bleeding heart liberals alike should at least agree on that.
Well, back to reading the delights of property and civ pro...
posted by Unknown @ 4:03:00 PM
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