The Rwandan Genocide In Film

This article describes the reactions of survivors of the Rwandan genocide to recent films, including Sometimes in April and Hotel Rwanda. Generally, it says, while survivors are pleased that the atrocities of the genocide are being recognized, they are upset that the stories are inaccurately portrayed, to the point that they don't count them as their own.

I think the article raises a particularly important issue in pointing out that we cannot assume that what we see, even in a "historical" movie, is necessarily accurate. For instance, Sometimes in April downplays the government's own role in the genocide. While this may somehow more convenient for the studio, or make the movie flow more smoothly, but it does not truly reflect the regimented, systematic work of the Hutu radicals in power. In a film's quest to portray a dramatic story complete with the expected heroism, the truth is often distorted in ways that do survivors' experiences severe injustice. While I am glad that the horrific events of the this genocide, which have often been ignored and glossed over, are brought to light, it would be an even more important step to take pains to portray the stories as accurately as possible.