Film Club: Lessons from Hotel Rwanda

Film Club welcomed parishioners on Thurs, Nov. 13, for a screening and discussion of the powerful film, Hotel Rwanda. Part of Film Club’s “Better Angels” series, the film followed true-life hotelier Parul Rusesabgina, as he resiliently navigated the 100-day Rwandan genocide saving his family and 1,200 other souls. Some 800,000 others perished at the hands of militants while the civilized world failed to intervene.

The audience discussed the frightening consequences of targeting a group for no other reason than for who they are — recognizing that this tactic has been historically used to create a common enemy and establish power. One guest asked us to ponder who would we protect…who would we see as “our” people…if confronted with a frightening and senseless situation. Others talked about how tragedies like this may be in the news but impact you for a second before your attention is pulled away by the baseball scores. The complexity and intensity are hard to fully understand.

Contrasting with what occurred in Rwanda, members of our Africa Ministry were in the audience highlighting the value of their decades-long dedication to creating a stable environment in “their corner” of Kenya, Dandora, through faith, education, health care and other vital resources. The ministry not only raises funds for their life-supporting projects but offers parishioners the opportunity to have hands-on experiences in Dandora during their annual pilgrimage. For more information, contact .

Film Club meets again on Sat. Jan. 17, for our annual Day of Reflection. This is a full-day event and features a screening, contemplation, and discussion. Fr. David Guffey, CSC, will lead the day helping us explore a most revered movie, Star Wars — A New Hope, and its “better angels.” Registration for this event begins in mid-December. Only 70 seats will be available, so register early!

Joanne Dietch

St. Monica Film Club