Updated daily because we have nothing better to do.
Friday, March 09, 2007 09:40:34 AM
MOVIE PICK Beyond the Gates
by Joey Lee
Beyond
the Gates (opening March 9th) captures not only the horrors of the Rwandan genocide in which 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus died at the hands of Hutu extremists, but evokes a sense of bewilderment at the Western powers that did not get more involved. The film takes us inside the gates at a Catholic School in Kigali. The school becomes a refugee camp for Tutsis fearing for their lives. A U.N. presence takes up residence at the school to "monitor" the situation, but they are under orders not to attack unless the Hutu extremist groups specifically attack the U.N.
The U.N. officials clash with the Catholic schoolteachers who want to take more action against the genocide. A sense of powerlessness is palpable to everyone in the situation, African or European. Unlike 2005's Hotel Rwanda, Beyond the Gates used real survivors of the tragedy as crewmembers and extras - both groups direct influence in the staging of the film. Hence, the film is able to achieve a higher degree of authenticity because the genocide survivors blocked most the scenes themselves, resulting in a unique viewing experience.
Surprisingly - for a film about Rwanda - the story centers around two white men. The almost-too-pretty Hugh Dancy plays naive Joe Connor, a teacher so inexperienced that the very sight of a dead body will make his ice blue eyes quiver. Dancy, delivers a solid performance. His character is what the audience feels at every moment of the film: innocent. He is our fascination when shown the beauty of Rwanda. He is our horror at seeing the ruthless killings.
Conversely, John Hurt plays Christopher, a Catholic Priest who runs the school. Christopher is an idealist when possible, but realist when necessary. Hurt's performance as Christopher is magnificent as he works wonders with the dialogue provided to him.
Beyond the Gates' greatest strength is its portrayal of the steadfastness and spirit of the Tutsis, even in times of tragedy. The film contains some of the bloodiest mass murder moments ever brought to film. However, these scenes of mass violence are sprinkled in amongst scenes of argument, political controversy, and, yes, even scenes of great joy.
As the credits pan, every survivor to work on Beyond the Gates is seen next time a description of family members they lost during the genocide. Yet in their images, the crewmembers are shown smiling or dancing triumphantly.
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Beyond
the Gates is one of several recent films about the Rwandan genocide.
Hugh Dancy, who plays one of the British Catholic schoolteachers, states that
there are very practical reasons why filmmakers are focusing on
Rwanda only now. "It takes time for the story to filter into the
Western consciousness. It takes even more time to find people
willing to fund the movie. Then we have to get the Rwandan government to agree
to let us in the country for filming," Dancy says.
If the recently released films about Rwanda have one aspect in common, it is their negative portrayal of the inaction of western powers like the United States and England. Could the timing of these films be a not so coincidental message to the governments of the United States and England? "These films bring up the issue of the U.S.'s failure to get involved in situations like Darfur," Dancy points out.
