Film Reviews by Swambi

You wouldn't expect a film depicting clearly the genocide in Rwanda to leave such a good impression - but it certainly did for me, despite my being totally averse to any gratuitous violence. This film was an accurate, and extremely well acted and filmed recreation of the moving story of a man of conscience and faith who saved over a thousand refugees, at great risk to his own life. It shows clearly the unwillinglness of the West to take any action to protect the innocent, despite airlifting troops in to rescue whites. To me it was a damning inditement of the lack of concern for the innocent victims, which we can see being repeated again in places like Darfur. The music is great, and the human interaction keeps you involved right up to the last minute - and without giving too much away, I do like happy endings!

The director says that she set out to make a "feelbad" moovie, and having seen it I agree that is exactly the feeling you are left with. So why watch it? It is not easy viewing, and involves religious themes, and consideration of abortion, and is based in a womens' gaol. However, despite the ending, the main story of the film is well crafted, and draws the watcher deeply into the characters' lives.

There are a number of story strands, involving romantic love, redemption, friendship, conflict between good and evil, the contrast between the power of God and formal religion, and a decision on an abortion. The director crafts these different stories skillfully together, generally building up hopes of a triumph of good - until near the end when it all unwinds to a depressing finish. Apart from the depressing ending, the main downsides for me were the extraordinarily abrupt ending, just as if the film had fallen apart, and the constant motion of the camera. Dogme films are okay, but this shouldn't prevent the camera being held steady. Even the credits were waving all over the screen. You also have to follow some fairly complex discussions through sub-titles (unless you are Danish).

That said, if the subject interests you, much of the film is really memorable - just a shame that it is only a build up to sadness at the end.

This film makes difficult viewing. It pulls no punches in depicting the horrifying brutality that occurred. It is shot in a very realistic documentary style, over a few days in Kigale, giving you the uncomfortable feeling of actually being there. It largely set in a technical college, under siege from militias, and involves soldiers from the UN, and a catholic priest assisted by a young volunteer.

The film is largely seen through the eyes of the volunteer and the priest, giving a backdrop of serious questions as to where God is in suffering, and indeed how professingly "christian" hutus could act as they did. Ultimately the priest follows the example of Jesus, in an inspiring act of redemption.

This film is very similar to "Hotel Rwanda". Both leave an uncomfortable feeling that the rich and powerful just ignored the plight of the weak. However, I felt that this was the harder hitting and more horrifying of the two films.

This film attempts to give a biography of Howard Hughes. Although a strange story, I didn't find it inspiring. It lasts about 2 and 1/2 hours (but seems longer)!

Despite being constructed as an epic, the filming and acting fail to engage. The focus is mainly on Howard's involvement with airoplanes - filming, flying, owning, building and crashing. Whether you enjoy the film is likely to depend largely on whether this interests you.

It also outlines his increasing paranoia, relating to obsessive cleanliness and isolation from others. In between there are a few sessions examining his relationships with others, which demonstrate how his wealth and obsessions wrecked any ability to relate meaningfully.