Ausley/Boone
English II Unit on Genocide/Holocaust
“Hotel Rwanda” Viewing Guide
Helpful Info:
The movie is set in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda, and based on real events
Main Characters: Paul Rusesabagina & his wife Tatiana. Paul is the assistant
manager of the hotel Mille Collines, which is owned by a Belgian company
named Sabena. Paul is a Hutu, and Tatiana is a Tutsi.
The UN is visiting Rwanda as the president is signing a peace agreement with
the Tutsis. The UN soldiers will be wearing light blue vests and hats.
The Hutu soldiers (called the Interahamwe) will be wearing colorful
uniforms.
The police & military of Rwanda will be wearing regular camouflage
uniforms.
BEFORE WATCHING
1. In your own words, explain what a refugee is.
2. In your own words, explain what genocide is.
3. What things are necessary for a genocide to occur? (What has to happen/not happen in society/the world?)
4. The genocidaires (the people who commit the crimes against humanity) have been treated well in the
prison run by the International Criminal Tribunal (“The Hague”). They receive adequate food. They are
allowed to pray. If they are ill, they receive medicine. This is much more than they gave their victims, and in
fact, they are living better than many innocent people in Rwanda. Explain whether or not you feel like they
should they be treated this well.
5. How does a society move forward from a genocide?
Ausley/Boone
English II Unit on Genocide/Holocaust
DURING "HOTEL RWANDA"
PRE-VIEWING QUESTION - #6 (below) will help students focus on one of the themes of the film as they view it.
6. At the beginning of the film, the character of the hotel manager comes home and the children at his house
are playing a game. He initially asks, "Who is the winner?" He then answers his own question, "It doesn't
matter, I have chocolates," which he then passes out to all of the children. What does this show about the
hotel manager and how does it foreshadow what he does in the movie? (You may need to answer this
question later in the movie.)
7. According to the Rwandan journalist in the movie, what are the differences between the Hutus and the
Tutsis?
Was his description accurate?
8. What was the role of the radio in the genocide?
9. What does the bearded reporter say to Paul's belief that people around the world would act when they see
the footage of the murders?
What do you think he means?
10. What tactics does the hotel manager use to keep the hotel open and the people there safe?
11. In the movie, a genocidaire offered to let the hotel manager have a few Tutsis of his own in exchange for
turning over the rest of his neighbors and friends. What did the hotel manager do?
12. When Colonel Oliver finds out that the European soldiers are there only to take the foreign nationals of out
Rwanda, he (Col. Oliver) tells the hotel manager that "The West, all the superpowers, everything you
believe in, Paul, they think you're dirt. They think you're dumb, you're worthless." The Colonel goes on to
say, "You're the smartest man here. You got 'em eating out of your hands. You could own this hotel, except
for one thing ... You're black. You're not even a ni***r, you're African. They're not gonna stay, Paul. They're
not gonna stop the slaughter." What did Col. Oliver mean by saying this to the hotel manager? What
distinction was he trying to make about who Paul is?
13. At the beginning of the movie, the hotel manager talks to his assistant about the importance of style. What
role did style have in saving the Tutsi and moderate Hutu who had sought refuge in the Hotel Mille
Collines?
Ausley/Boone
English II Unit on Genocide/Holocaust
14. What were the similarities between Paul Rusesabagina and Oscar Schindler?
15. Did the hotel manager do the right thing by staying at the hotel and not leaving with his wife and children
on the first attempt to get them out?
16. How did the character of the hotel manager in "Hotel Rwanda" display courage?
17. Is it realistic to expect that a soldier who endures horrific experiences in war will emerge emotionally
unscathed?
18. Think about history a moment… Why does the country of Rwanda use (French) francs as its currency?
19. When Paul’s neighbor (Victor) gets attacked, what does Paul do?
Why is that his response?
20. What was the significance (importance) of the phrase “cut the tall trees?”
21. When violence breaks out, who comes to help?
Who gets helped?
Who doesn’t get helped?
22. When Paul realizes no one is coming to help the Rwandan refugees, he tells them there is only one way for
them to get help. What way is it?
23. What deal does George try to make with Paul?
AFTER WATCHING
24. What did you learn from this movie?
25. Which character did you [admire, hate, love, pity] the most?