Sometimes in April
|
List Price: Our Price: $3.75 You Save: $6.22 (62%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $1.48 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Sometimes in April
Movie Review: A Film Even More Powerful for its Simplicity of Presentation
Summary: 5 Stars
The gruesome tragedy of the genocide in Rwanda in 1994 absolutely must become public knowledge if we are to maintain the watch for symptoms of similar acts in the present and the future. HOTEL RWANDA was a fine film that capitalized on the heroism of one man, and justly so, for his selfless vision that saved many lives. But as far as a film that relates the same story without the emphasis on one hero, SOMETIMES IN APRIL is for this reviewer more powerful: the genocide speaks more loudly because it focuses on the victims.
Writer/Director Raoul Peck has created a stunning impact with this film made for HBO. The details of the history of the rebellion of the Tutsis against the Hutus is clearly explained and made far more understandable than in previous efforts. Peck wisely utilizes the talents of Idris Elba and Carole Karemera as the husband and wife of mixed marriage and it is their story of survival and witness that makes this examination of Rwanda so intense. Oris Erhuero and Debra Winger among others feel completely committed to this story in the way they bring honesty and credibility to their roles.
Photographed on location, this film is at first a country beautiful to look at and then the beauty of the land filled with corpses is nearly unbearable. The contrast is typical of the way Raoul Peck has sculpted this important film. By Hollywood standards as well as by Public Information standards, this is a film that should be seen by everyone as not only a fine movie but also an important documentation of a tragedy that should have never been ignored. Grady Harp, April 05
Movie Review: Stunning and heartbreaking African genocide in 1994
Summary: 5 Stars
Anyone who saw Hotel Rwanda may also wish to see this well directed movie
about the gripping Rwandan conflict in 1994. This is a story of two brothers whose political standing became divided by the genocide which engulfed the nation into a chaotic nightmare, a small but beautiful African nation unjustly abandoned by the international community.The movie depicts a genocide which consists of an organized attempt by the Hutu majority to exterminate the minority Tutsis. Not by gassing as the Final Solution applied to Europe's Jews in World War II, but by bullets,clubs and, of all gory ways that could be thought of by the human mind, machetes imported from China. Moderate Hutus(Hutus against the horrible persecutiuon) as well as heroic Hutus who risked and gave their lives to defend their Tutsi neighbors and friends were also targeted for murder. The lot more easier to identify Tutsis ,thanks to the Belgian Colonists who issued Identity Cards to distinguish Tutsis from Hutus during those colonial times. The admissions of guilt, the confessions, remorse and pleas for forgiveness can not make up for the senseless slaughter of loved ones as experienced by the protagonists in this movie although they are trying their best to forgive and start a new life. However,those memories will linger for the rest of their lives. Rwanda in 1994 has shown the world that without any genuine and effective effort of control nationally and internationally, genocide can still haunt this planet we live in.
Movie Review: Great Docudrama
Summary: 5 Stars
If you are interested in getting a feeling for the awful events that plagued Rwanda during the genocide acts recently - this is a great presentation of the events, based on my knowledge. It is kind of documentary and drama blended together.
What is striking, given the date of this review, is just how ludicrous the world can be. It is shameful! People knew the events were taking place but with no oil or resources for nations to maul there was no interest to lend a hand. There are no acts of humanitarianism by super powers, just self fulfilling acts that benefit leaders of nations - self interest. Take the wikileaks for example that are surfacing today. The "problem" is the leaks? How can that be? The leaks are documents of criminal acts by leaders of governments - so why is the site questioned and not the leaders?
If you want to get a sense of international mismanagement - I feel we have the responsibility to do so, please watch this video. Other sources on the topic would include Darfur now, and The History and Sociology of Genocide (see below).
This video is a great entertaining presentation of an event we should not have to document.
Darfur Now
The History and Sociology of Genocide: Analyses and Case Studies
Movie Review: Graphic yet gripping
Summary: 5 Stars
I had purchased this review after hearing a Relevant magazine podcast where the magazine editor had traveled to Rwanda. In the interview the editor, Cameron Strang had commented on how the local people in Rwanda had said that if they had to pick a movie that told their story, they would choose 'Sometimes in April'. Hotel Rwanda was good, but it did not accurately capture the character that Don Cheadle played. The main factor missing, which Hollywood inserted, was genuine compassion for the people that he was saving.
This was truly an excellent movie produced by HBO films and Raoul Peck. Movies like these need to be made to give voice to the voiceless who are victimized and so that we here in the West, can learn from the mistakes made in the past, so that future generations will never ever let something like what happened in Rwanda occur again.
The genocide occurring in Darfur has such chilling parallels, but at least the people there don't have to shame the rest of the world into action to provide help. There we have a chance to stop genocide as it is actually occurring.
I would totally recommend this film, for those that want to see a movie that will challenge them, and leave an imprint on them to become advocates for the voiceless.
Movie Review: "Sometimes in April is the book-Hotel Rwanda is a chapter"
Summary: 5 Stars
A couple of years ago, Paul Rusesbagnia (sp?), the gentleman whose story
inspired "Hotel Rwanda" spoke at a local college. Afterwards at the reception, I asked him what he thought of this film in comparison to his biopic "Hotel Rwanada" and he replied in his usual eloquent fashion, "Sometimes in April is the book-Hotel Rwanda is a Chapter."
Anyone who has seen both films to compare will agree.
Essentially, this is a slightly fictionalized tale of two brothers during the Rwanda massacre that began in April 1994 (thus the title). The evil brother agitates tribal genocide over the radio and the good brother risks his life to shelter victims of the madness that follows. In comparison to Hotel Rwanda (and not taking anything away from that film), this does a better job of explaining the backstory of what led to the Rwanada massacre for those who aren't familiar.
In either case, this is a fine (albeit occasionally heart-wrenching-as it should be) story of the dangers of listening to demagogues and man's inhumanity to man. The scene with the little girls pleading for their lives in the church will truly change your life, as well as this movie itself. Watch this film and heed it's warning.