Hotel Rwanda (2004)
Coming Out at 20 January 2005 in theaters.
Biography, Drama, History
Hotel Rwanda is drama film directed by Terry George. It was adapted from a screenplay co-written by George and Keir Pearson, and stars Don Cheadle and Sophie Okonedo as hotelier Paul Rusesabagina and his wife Tatiana. Based on the Rwandan genocide, which occurred during the spring of 1994, the film documents Rusesabagina’s efforts to save the lives of his family and more than a thousand other refugees by providing them with shelter in the besieged Hôtel des Mille Collines. Hotel Rwanda explores genocide, political corruption, and the repercussions of violence.
The film was a co-production between United Artists and Lions Gate Films, and was commercially distributed by United Artists theatrically and by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for home media. Hotel Rwanda premiered in theatres in limited release in the United States on 22 December 2004 and in wide release on 4 February 2005, grossing more than $23 million in domestic ticket sales. It earned an additional $10 million in business through international release to top out at a combined total of nearly $34 million in gross revenue. The Blu-ray Disc edition of the film, featuring special documentaries along with selected scenes and audio commentary, was released in the United States on 10 May 2011.
In April 1994, tensions between the Hutu and Tutsi peoples lead to genocide in Rwanda, where corruption and bribes between politicians are routine. Paul Rusesabagina, manager of the Hôtel des Mille Collines, is Hutu, but his wife Tatiana is Tutsi. Their marriage is a source of friction with Hutu extremists, including Georges Rutaganda, a goods supplier to the hotel who is also the local leader of Interahamwe, a brutal Hutu militia.
Director: Terry George
Writers: Keir Pearson, Terry George
Stars: Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo, Joaquin Phoenix, Nick Nolte, David O’Hara, Antonio David Lyons, Lebo Mashile
Cast:
| Xolani Mali | … | Policeman |
| Don Cheadle | … | Paul Rusesabagina |
| Desmond Dube | … | Dube |
| Hakeem Kae-Kazim | … | George Rutaganda |
| Tony Kgoroge | … | Gregoire |
| Rosie Motene | … | Receptionist |
| Neil McCarthy | … | Jean Jacques |
| Mabutho ‘Kid’ Sithole | … | Head Chef |
| Nick Nolte | … | Colonel Oliver |
| Fana Mokoena | … | General Bizimungu |
| Jeremiah Ndlovu | … | Old Guard |
| Sophie Okonedo | … | Tatiana Rusesabagina |
| Lebo Mashile | … | Odette |
| Antonio David Lyons | … | Thomas Mirama |
| Leleti Khumalo | … | Fedens |
| Kgomotso Seitshohlo | … | Anais |
| Lerato Mokgotho | … | Carine |
| Mosa Kaiser | … | Elys Rusesabagina |
| Mathabo Pieterson | … | Diane Rusesabagina |
| Ofentse Modiselle | … | Roger Rusesabagina |
| David O’Hara | … | David |
| Joaquin Phoenix | … | Jack Daglish |
| Lennox Mathabathe | … | Peter |
| Mothusi Magano | … | Benedict |
| Noxolo Maqashalala | … | Chloe – Prostitute |
| Thulani Nyembe | … | Jean Baptiste, |
| Simo Mogwaza | … | Hutu Captain, |
| Mirriam Ngomani | … | Gregoire’s Girlfriend |
| Cara Seymour | … | Pat Archer |
| Harriet Lenabe | … | Alice the Waitress , |
| Roberto Citran | … | Priest |
| Mduduzi Mabaso | … | Hutu Lieutenant |
| Sonni Chidiebere | … | Militiaman |
| Thomas Kariuki | … | Xavier |
| Sibusiso Mhlongo | … | Militiaman |
| Ashleigh Tobias | … | Medic |
| Eugene Khumbanyiwa | … | Hotel Staff |
| Jean Reno | … | Mr. Tillens – Sabena Airlines President |
Sources: imdb & wikipedia