It has been more than 16 years since the film Hotel Rwanda was released. I am the film’s co-writer, director, and producer. In December 2004, when it reached theaters, the movie received widespread acclaim, modest box office success, and some Oscar nominations.
At its premiere in Kigali, Rwanda, in April 2005, I presented the film to a gathering of members of Parliament, dignitaries, and diplomats—including President Paul Kagame and his wife. The next night I showed the film in the Amahoro soccer stadium to a crowd of thousands. There was no negative criticism, just an outpouring of raw emotion at the memories the film stirred. And that should have been it.
