In observance of the 31st commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, a tragedy that claimed over one million lives in just 100 days, The Kaminuza Star presents a curated list of five essential books and five powerful films that recount the events of that dark chapter in Rwanda’s history.
These works offer insight into the genocide from a variety of angles, including personal memoirs, international failures, heroic acts, and historical analyses.
Films to Watch
1. 100 Days (2001)
Directed by Nick Hughes, 100 Days was the first feature film dramatized and shot in Rwanda after the genocide. It follows Josette, a young Tutsi girl, as she hides in the countryside while seeking safety during the early days of the massacres. The film, which relies heavily on survivor testimonies, captures the terror, disorientation, and betrayal that unfolded as neighbor turned against neighbor.
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2. Le Jour Où Dieu Est Parti en Voyage (2009) (The Day God Walked Away)
This French-language film, directed by Philippe Van Leeuw, centers on Jacqueline, a Tutsi housemaid who escapes her employer’s home after a massacre. As she hides in the forest with her baby, her harrowing journey explores the emotional and physical scars of survival. With minimal dialogue and haunting cinematography, the film symbolizes abandonment—both divine and international.
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3. Shake Hands with the Devil (2007)
Adapted from General Roméo Dallaire’s memoir, this dramatized film portrays the Canadian UN commander’s personal and professional descent as he helplessly witnesses the genocide unfold. Played by Roy Dupuis, Dallaire battles trauma, guilt, and bureaucratic neglect as his pleas for reinforcements go unanswered. Filmed on location in Rwanda, it emphasizes the devastating cost of global indifference.
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4. Sometimes in April (2005)
Directed by Raoul Peck and featuring Idris Elba in a key role, this HBO production follows Augustin, a Hutu army officer, and his brother Honoré, a radio journalist complicit in spreading hate. The film shifts between 1994 and a decade later, exploring themes of guilt, complicity, and reconciliation. With emotional depth and political nuance, it portrays how the genocide tore apart family, identity, and truth.
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5. Shooting Dogs (2005) (also known as Beyond the Gates)
Set during the early days of the genocide at the Ecole Technique Officielle, where thousands of Tutsis sought refuge under the protection of UN peacekeepers, this film is based on true events. It depicts the moral agony faced by Father Christopher and teacher Joe Connor as they watch the UN forces withdraw, leaving civilians at the mercy of killers.
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Bonus: The 600: The Soldiers’ Story (2019)
This is a powerful documentary chronicling the heroics of 600 Rwanda Patriotic Army soldiers who, under siege at Parliament in Kigali, fought to rescue civilians while being vastly outnumbered. Their courage helped save thousands.
Books to Read;
1. We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families – Philip Gourevitch
A deeply reported and literary account that combines survivor stories, political analysis, and historical context. Gourevitch’s narrative reveals the roots of the genocide, the failures of international actors, and Rwanda’s long path toward justice. It’s a haunting and essential read for understanding how such horror could happen in plain sight.
During the 31st commemoration, President Paul Kagame referenced this book, demonstrating how Tutsis seeking refuge attempted to warn international organizations and request help.
2. Surviving the Genocide in Rwanda: The Story of the Nyange Students – Jean-Marie Vianney Rurangwa
This book documents the powerful and tragic story of students at Nyange Secondary School who refused to identify themselves as either Hutu or Tutsi. Their stand for unity cost them their lives when ‘Interahamwe’ militia opened fire.
3. Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda – Lt. Gen. Roméo Dallaire
This harrowing memoir by the UN Force Commander in Rwanda offers a front-row account of how the genocide unfolded under the world’s watch. Dallaire reflects on missed warnings, bureaucratic paralysis, and the trauma of watching helplessly as mass slaughter occurred — all while being denied reinforcements.
4. Season of Blood: A Rwandan Journey – Fergal Keane
Written just weeks after the genocide, this book by BBC journalist Fergal Keane captures the immediate aftermath. With vivid reporting, Keane explores the devastated landscape, speaks with survivors, and reflects on the psychological toll of witnessing evil and the failures of the global community.
5. The Girl Who Smiled Beads – Clemantine Wamariya and Elizabeth Weil
At six years old, Clemantine fled Rwanda with her sister during the genocide. This memoir follows her journey across seven African countries as a refugee before finding asylum in the U.S. The book was a New York Times best seller, was critically acclaimed, and received various accolades.
By Elisa Uwineza/ The Kaminuza Star