An Amazon.ca
Best of 2005
selection.
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
Amazon.ca
A vital document in any understanding of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, Shake Hands with the Devil looks at the disaster through the eyes of a hugely conflicted observer. Romeo Dallaire was the Canadian general commanding the handcuffed U.N. forces in Rwanda (think Nick Nolte in Hotel Rwanda) who pleaded with his superiors to intervene and possibly stave off the slaughter, and then watched helplessly as the country went to hell. The film follows Dallaire's return to Rwanda in 2004, as he tries to exorcise the demons that have haunted him--he suffered a breakdown and suicidal depression after his service in Africa. Director Peter Raymont also widens the focus to discuss the issues behind the slaughter, and he witheringly condemns the world's failure to act. (The U.S. public was distracted by the O.J. Simpson trial, the movie reminds us.) The images are startling: horrific video of murder, beautiful shots of the present-day countryside, Dallaire's visit to a monument containing tables crowded with human skulls. The images are harsh, but Dallaire's memories are equally terrible, such as his recollection of the smell of corpses stacked in the street. This articulate and still-tortured man is an important guide to a horrific event. --Robert Horton
Product Description
Based in part on his Governor General's Award winning book of the same title, Shake Hands with the Devil is the searing, emotional journey of Canadian Lt-General Roméo Dallaire, who commanded the U.N. peacekeeping mission to Rwanda in 1994. Over 100 days, 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were slaughtered during the Rwanda genocide as the international community turned its back and ignored Dallaire's cries for assistance. This experience let to Dallaire's own life tragedies as he dealt with the psychological fallout of witnessing a genocide he was powerless to stop. Filmed during General Dallaire's first return to Rwanda in April, 2004.
*Official Selection, 2004 Toronto International Film Festival
*Official Selection, 2004 IDFA International Documentary Festival
*Official Selection, World Cinema Documentary Competition: 2005 Sundance Film Festival
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
I felt compelled. Romeo Dalliare has had the gal to show the rest of the world how racist and unequal humanity is as we know it is. It is horrific and undenyable. We cannot sit back and justify our inaction towards such a beautiul part of the globe. We are not many worlds we are one world and we cannot allow or govenments to enable such disgusting holocaust to happen. We have consented this, We are all gulity and Dallaire reminds us of this.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Amanda
Format:DVD
"Shake Hands With The Devil: The Journey of Romeo Dallaire" begins showing the picture of a person, the image pock-marked, which turns into clouds. This is a documentary that combines news footage with interviews. The emotional juggernaut that this film takes you through is something that everyone must feel, must go through, and it still won't come close to what Dallaire felt back then right up to today. The anger you feel towards Western bureaucracy, from the UN for vastly underfunding the mission, to the Catholic Church, the French, and every other Western State, is only overwhelmed by the grief and helplessness that one can't help but feel; for the Rwandans, and for those who tried to help them. And the guilt that many Westerners can't help but feel--or should have no choice but to feel--for not paying attention to what was going on, for not putting pressure on our governments to do anything. The Tutsies told the Western soldiers and reporters that they were to be killed, but we just didn't care. OJ was more important to the mass population. What does that say about Western Society?
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
An amazing man. To help people under the circumstanses that he did.He was told give up. But he didn't.Hero in my book.
Want to see more reviews on this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 9 reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
