In the not too distant past, Europeans (to be followed soon by Americans) set out on various quests of exploration and conquest, claiming a providentially appointed mission to civilize the world. In the process they slaughtered tens of millions of lives, families, and societies. In the name of Christianity, they proved themselves the fathers of crime, war and genocide. While it is worthwhile to point out that Bush’s self-appointed imperial agenda (in the wake of Clinton’s sanctions regime against Iraq, Bush Sr.’s war on Iraq, Reagan’s aid to mass murderers in Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Afghanistan, Indonesia, and more) is the continuation of this brutal legacy, the topic of this brief essay is Terry George’s recent critically acclaimed Hotel Rwanda.

Of the European empires, the Belgians, especially in the latter parts of the 19th century, proved to be among the most vicious and violent. Hundreds of thousands of people living in the Belgian Congo were murdered and violently tortured to enforce slave-like labor conditions and maintain Belgian power. In neighboring Rwanda, at the time a German colony, conditions fared little better.

After World War I, Rwanda was turned over to Belgium as spoils of war. In order to maintain power in its colony, Belgian officials used the classic 'divide and conquer' technique perfected by imperialists and capitalists. They provided Rwanda’s second largest tribe, the Tutsis, with special privileges and responsibilities of oversight over Rwanda’s largest group, the Hutus. Prior to colonization ethnic differences between these groups were minimal, but after German and Belgian domination, group hatred had been cultivated.

As Belgian power declined and global decolonization began, Belgium sought to preserve its power over Rwanda indirectly by appointing Tutsi kings to power. Hutu rebels eventually shed the Belgian monarchy, and Rwanda declared independence in 1962. For some in the new regime, revenge against Tutsi overseers was the order of the day.

By the 1980s, however, Tutsi rebels began to organize forces in neighboring Uganda, eventually opening hostilities on the Hutu-dominated Rwanda government in 1990. After much fighting, during which Rwanda’s president, Juvénal Habyarimana, called for genocidal retaliation against the rebels and Tutsis civilians, the rebels (led by the Rwandese Patriotic Front) eventually forced the Rwanda government into negotiations.

These talks, orchestrated by the Organization of African Unity, culminated in the Arusha Accords. Arusha reorganized Rwanda’s political system into a multi-party system with power sharing by the RPF and most importantly reduced the near-dictatorial powers of the president in 1993. Juvénal Habyarimana’s military and extremist paramilitary supporters did not favor relinquishing power. Several assassinations, including Habyarimana’s, effectively ended the peace accord by 1994. Soon the extremist militias stirred up ethnic hatred of Tutsis and the genocide began.

This is where Hotel Rwanda opens. Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle) is a mild-mannered hotel manager at Hotel Des Milles Collines, a Belgian-owned four-star concern for foreign dignitaries, business travelers, tourists, Rwanda’s elite and high society generally. He is a Hutu whose wife, Tatiana (Sophie Okonedo, Dirty Pretty Things, 2002), is Tutsi. He has convinced himself that his talent for providing for the needs of Rwanda’s and Belgium’s elite and his unique ability to befriend an array of well-placed officials and businesspersons has not only made his career, but also will protect him and his family when times get tough.

This status was illusory, however, as Paul soon learns when the violence starts. Radio programs affiliated with the extremist militias began to spout anti-Tutsi hatred and calling for ethnic cleansing. But Paul still believes the Belgian-owned hotel is an oasis in the sea of violence and civil war.

Rumors begin to spread about violence aimed at Tutsi 'cockroaches,' even though they have no connections with the rebel force, who are blamed for Belgian atrocities and the current civil unrest. Fearing for her family’s safety, Tatiana gathers dozens of her relations in their home. Thus begins Paul’s reluctant role as savior. As the violence grows, tens of thousands of Tutsis are forced to flee the country or to gather under the minimal protection of UN peacekeepers in refugee camps. Hundreds gather, along with dozens of white elites, at Paul’s hotel, hoping, at best, for international intervention to prevent genocide, and at least, hoping to find a way out of the country with the Europeans.

Intervention does come, but only for the whites. BBC cameraman 'Jack' (Joaquin Phoenix), who had recorded the first footage of some of the early mass murders, had also befriended a Tutsi woman during his visit. As he prepares to leave with the other Europeans, she pleads with him to help her leave. He empties his wallet and shoves a wad of money into her face begging her to take it; it could save her. As he boards the last bus to the airport with the other whites, he mutters, 'I am so ashamed.'

Up to the moment that the whites and the European soldiers left, Paul believed that his relationship with them could save hundreds of lives. His friend, Canadian UN officer Colonel Oliver (Nick Nolte), explained the situation: 'You’re dirt,' he reminded Paul. The Europeans didn’t care about you, no matter how much you served them or brought them the good liquor or tended to their needs. 'You’re African after all.'

Interestingly, what sounds like a real recording of then-White House spokesperson Dee Dee Meyers indicates the US attitude toward events in Rwanda: while the administration regretted acts of genocide, the US wouldn’t declare the situation in Rwanda to be genocide and would block intervention measures in the UN Security Council. The Clinton administration wanted to avoid another Somalia situation as it prepared to start its reelection campaign, and Congressional Republicans were waiting to pounce and use any military intervention – even if to stop genocide – against the administration. For both parties, political maneuvering rated higher than African lives. Further, because the French government and French military contractors supplied Rwanda’s military, it too sat on its hands until too late, knowing full well the deeds it was aiding.

Eventually, the hotel is completely surrounded, and its more than 1,200 occupants await imminent murder. Having witnessed several acts of violence against Tutsi women and children by the Hutu militia, Paul plans with his wife to commit suicide with the children, if they are ever about to be caught.

Paul is an intelligent, well-connected man, but will he be able to save the people entrusted to his care?

Cheadle’s memorable performance is certainly Oscar-worthy, as is Sophie Okonedo’s emotional portrayal of a woman and mother struggling to survive. Let’s hope the tale they help to tell isn’t also ignored by Hollywood’s elite. Fana Mokoena’s portrayal of war criminal General Augustin Bizimungo is also notable despite the brutality of the real life person.