The Rwandan genocide as seen in "Hotel Rwanda"

Abstract

Films, as a form of social expression, cannot remain untouched by the legal sphere. From a critical perspective, they portray the laws of a society −or lack thereof−; they are the silent witnesses of events that shake the film industry and even at times become the voices through which unfair practices are exposed. By revealing social issues, their greatest contribution lies on their taking on realities to effect changes. When it comes to the historical genre, recalling armed conflicts helps create a collective memory which may aid in understanding such contexts as those fostering the commission of international crimes.

In this article, we will look at how a successful Hollywood film has raised awareness about genocides and, simultaneously, triggered international political events in which film stars, such as Scarlett Johansson and Don Cheadle, mingle with politicians, like President Biden, democratic and republican leaders, and Rwandan President Kagame. The plot, through the voice of a hero, tells the story of Rwanda's genocide, which in just three months took the lives of almost one million people. Using a qualitative methodology and descriptive-analytical methods, we analyze three relevant scenes and assess the efficiency of human rights international law, its material restrictions, and victims' rights and participations in international justice proceedings. In this simple research article, we attempt to show the connection that exists between films, politics and the law.