I've just sat through the full 2 hours of this movie, with my mouth open in disbelief the entire time. I've read about the Rwandan genocide, learned a little about in school and heard the facts and stats around it. But never did I think I would be able to view the ordeal in this way. Granted it's a movie, so I will never even imply that I've witnessed genocide, but the movie left a grainy taste in my mouth. I felt sick to my stomach - not because of the harsh details and gore depicted, but because this was not fiction, it really happened - over 1 million Rwandans were slaughtered for no reason, and we did nothing about it. I mean "we" as in the ever-powerful Western and "civilized" world. No intervention and no aid of any kind; it was utter abandonment.

What also got to me was a specific line from the movie. Don Cheadle (main character, Paul) thanks Joaquin Pheonix, a reporter (Jack), for shooting images of the killings because he expects that it will persuade people in other countries to send aid. In response, the reporter says "After they see this, people are gonna say 'my god thats terrible' and then go on eating their dinners". How true it is...we watch the news, read the papers, and discuss international issues like this all the time. But how often to we actually do something about it? I guess there's the point that there is a limited amount we can do. Writing letters to MPs/Senators, sigining petitions, taking part in rallies, though all will create awareness in our own backyard, but won't stop an innocent child from being shot in the head point blank. It's somewhat disheartening to think about - does it all really help? In the case of this genocide, where it was laden with political, cultural and religious complexities, would another country truly be persuaded to intervene when in the first face of danger it abruptly turned and sped out? Affecting change on that level requires a life-long devotion to a single cause. You have to sacrifice everything and never stop striving for that one thing. Even then, change will only occur if society is ready for it.

Or you can live your life the best you can and affect the lives of the people around you every day.

This is what sums up Paul's involvement. He didn't stop the entire genocide, and he couldn't be expected to; he's one man against a vicious, hate-tempered army. What he does, though, is take his little corner of the world, the Mille Collines Hotel (the place is not actually called Hotel Rwanda), and make it a haven for the people. As a result, approx. 1200 people lived to see another day, another year, etc. That doesn't mean we shouldn't try anything and everything we can. In the end, one man cannot complete a cause. But if enough men make their corner of the world a little safer, a little happier, then we all complete the cause.

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On a totally different, yet related note, Don Cheadle has been nominated for an Oscar this year (and rightly so) as well as Best Supporting Actress for the woman who played his wife (Sophia something) and the film is up for Best Original Screenplay, . Whether it wins or not, it doesnt matter....Academy Awards are becoming more and more of a joke these day (damn politics get into everything)...but at least it's been recognized and maybe more people will see it as a result. The entire film is absolutely stunning with amazing performances and great direction, in short, go see it!