Movie spotlight
Shake Hands with the Devil
In 1993, Canadian Lieutenant General Roméo Dallaire was sent by the United Nations to Rwanda as commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR). Its mission, to ensure the ceasefire, is underfunded, excessively bureaucratized and made up of military units which come from dozens of countries and which each have a very different program... These are Lt Gen Dallaire's efforts to stop the madness of the Rwandan Genocide, despite the complete indifference of his superiors.
Insights
Plot Summary
The film chronicles the experiences of Roméo Dallaire, the Force Commander of the UN Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) during the Rwandan genocide. It depicts his struggle to maintain peace and protect civilians amidst escalating violence and the international community's indifference. Dallaire battles his own demons and the horrific realities of the atrocities he witnesses.
Critical Reception
Shake Hands with the Devil received mixed to positive reviews, with particular praise for Roy Dupuis's performance and the film's unflinching portrayal of the genocide and its impact on Dallaire. Some critics found the pacing uneven, but most acknowledged its importance and emotional weight.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its powerful and committed lead performance.
Acknowledged for its harrowing depiction of the Rwandan genocide.
Some noted the film's difficulty in balancing historical scope with personal narrative.
Google audience: Audience reviews often highlight the film's emotional impact and the strong central performance by Roy Dupuis. Many viewers found the subject matter difficult but important, appreciating the effort to bring awareness to the events of the Rwandan genocide.
Fun Fact
The film is based on Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire's autobiography of the same name.
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