Shake Hands With The Devil

Very little remains to be said about this movie that is based on an autobiography, and if that autobiography involves something as important as the United Nations and its plans to save a dying state, it becomes all the more special.

It is the story of the Canadian General Romeo Dallaire, who got the assignment to lead the United Nation’s forces in the state of Rwanda. It shows his endless struggles to do a good job, despite the odds posing a great threat to his mission. He is shown battling the genocide of the Tutsis by the Hutus. His efforts even go to the extent of negotiating with the Tutsi rebels. Even the Hutu army and the Interhamwe militia do not go missing from his list of negotiators. But the biggest shock of all comes when the people who sent Special Forces to prevent the worsening of the situation, suddenly take a backward step. Yes, the United Nations loses interest in the episode, and even the whole of the west world (United States included) chooses to just sit back and see the whole situation crumble down to pieces. A movie that is hard hitting and disturbing, but nonetheless, it does a perfect job as an eye opener. It’s a movie for the strong hearted, who consider themselves capable of seeing the truth the way it is.

Director Roger Spottiswoode puts his stroke of genius into the film, and the movie speaks of the perfection that the writers Michael Donovan and Roméo Dallaire are so well known for. The stars Roy Dupuis, Owen Sejake and James Gallanders are in a league of their own, and they set such standards of acting that have been achieved by few.