Characters
He is the hotel manager who shelters refugees during the genocide.
Who is Paul Rusesabagina?
The capital city where most events take place.
What is Kigali?
The event that triggers the mass killings at the start of the film.
What is the assassination of President Habyarimana?
The film explores how one person can act courageously to save others.
What is moral responsibility or heroism?
Estimated number of lives lost in the genocide.
What is about 800,000?
She is Paul's wife who fears for her family’s safety.
Who is Tatiana Rusesabagina?
The luxury hotel that becomes a refuge for Tutsis and moderate Hutus.
What is Hôtel des Mille Collines?
Paul’s main method to keep soldiers and militia away from refugees.
What are bribes and negotiation?
Militia radio broadcasts pushing hate and violence represent this.
What is propaganda / hate speech?
Organization created trials to punish genocide perpetrators.
What is the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR)?
He is the U.N. peacekeeping officer who tries to help but is limited by orders.
Who is Colonel Oliver?
Year when the Rwandan Genocide occurs.
What is 1994?
Paul hides this list to prevent targeted families from being killed.
What is the hotel guest registry?
The world's failure to respond reflects this major theme.
What is international indifference?
Paul later received this major award for his actions.
What is the Presidential Medal of Freedom?
This hotel owner pressures Paul to return to “normal business.”
What is the Sabena Hotel Company (or Who is Mr. Tillens)?
European country whose colonial rule deepened the Hutu-Tutsi divide.
Who were the Belgians?
Refugees at the hotel face danger after peacekeepers receive this order.
What is the order to evacuate foreigners only?
Paul uses luxury goods and connections — symbolizing this theme about power.
What is corruption / influence / privilege?
Refugees fear being abandoned, which reflects this real-world lesson.
What is the need for international intervention in genocide?
Journalist who films evidence of the killings but laments the world won’t care.
Who is Jack Daglish?
System used by colonizers that forced ethnic identity onto Rwandans.
What are identity cards?
Paul’s final mission is to leave the hotel to do this.
What is rescue his nieces/nephews at the orphanage?
The film shows people forced to choose between protecting others or saving themselves.
What is ethical dilemmas / survival vs. morality?
The film leaves viewers with this key emotional message.
What is the importance of humanity and speaking up against injustice?