Rwanda’s government has commuted the sentence of Paul Rusesabagina, the man who inspired the film “Hotel Rwanda” and was convicted on terrorism charges in 2021.
Government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo told The Associated Press on Friday that the 25-year sentence was commuted by presidential order after a request for clemency. Rusesabagina, a U.S. resident and Belgian citizen, is expected to be released on Saturday, she said.
“Rwanda notes the constructive role of the U.S. government in creating conditions for dialogue on this issue, as well as the facilitation provided by the state of Qatar,” Makolo told The AP.
The U.S. designated Rusesabagina as “wrongly detained,” and said that “the reported lack of fair trial guarantees calls into question the fairness of the verdict.” The civil rights activist denied all the charges and refused to take part in the trial that he and his supporters called a political sham, Reuters reported.
Government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo told The Associated Press on Friday that the 25-year sentence was commuted by presidential order after a request for clemency. Rusesabagina, a U.S. resident and Belgian citizen, is expected to be released on Saturday, she said.
“Rwanda notes the constructive role of the U.S. government in creating conditions for dialogue on this issue, as well as the facilitation provided by the state of Qatar,” Makolo told The AP.
The U.S. designated Rusesabagina as “wrongly detained,” and said that “the reported lack of fair trial guarantees calls into question the fairness of the verdict.” The civil rights activist denied all the charges and refused to take part in the trial that he and his supporters called a political sham, Reuters reported.
- 3/24/2023
- by Eileen AJ Connelly
- The Wrap
Prince Harry posed with President of Rwanda Paul Kagame for a new photo after travelling to Africa.
The Duke of Sussex, who began working with African Parks in 2016 before becoming president of the non-governmental organization the following year, made the trip to the continent to welcome and co-host “a group of U.S. officials, conservationists and philanthropists as they tour protected wildlife and nature areas.”
Read More: Prince Harry Heads Back To Africa To Host U.S. Officials Ahead Of U.K. Trip
President Kagame received Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, who visited Rwanda as part of his work as President of African Parks. The Government of Rwanda has agreements with African Parks to manage Akagera and Nyungwe National Parks. pic.twitter.com/P1WPIYSyVg
— Presidency | Rwanda (@UrugwiroVillage) August 22, 2022
While in Rwanda, Harry also paid his respects to victims of the genocide against the Tutsi at the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
The Duke of Sussex, who began working with African Parks in 2016 before becoming president of the non-governmental organization the following year, made the trip to the continent to welcome and co-host “a group of U.S. officials, conservationists and philanthropists as they tour protected wildlife and nature areas.”
Read More: Prince Harry Heads Back To Africa To Host U.S. Officials Ahead Of U.K. Trip
President Kagame received Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, who visited Rwanda as part of his work as President of African Parks. The Government of Rwanda has agreements with African Parks to manage Akagera and Nyungwe National Parks. pic.twitter.com/P1WPIYSyVg
— Presidency | Rwanda (@UrugwiroVillage) August 22, 2022
While in Rwanda, Harry also paid his respects to victims of the genocide against the Tutsi at the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
- 8/22/2022
- by Becca Longmire
- ET Canada
Through the Clooney Foundation for Justice and the American Bar Association Center for Human Rights, George and Amal Clooney have made a pledge to closely monitor the upcoming trial of Paul Rusesabagina in Rwanda, as part of Cfj’s TrialWatch initiative.
Rusesabagina’s actions to save lives during the Rwandan genocide were dramatized in the 2004 film Hotel Rwanda. He was played by Don Cheadle, Clooney’s co-star in the Ocean’s Eleven series and Out of Sight. Rusesabagina has continued to be a vocal critic of Rwanda’s current ruling party, which he has accused of committing human rights violations. He has been charged with forming an armed group, financing terrorism, complicity in kidnapping, and armed robbery, among other offenses.
Rusesabagina disappeared on August 27, 2020 in Dubai. Four days later, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau announced that he was in their custody and, in a series of tweets, alleged that he “[wa]s suspected to be the founder,...
Rusesabagina’s actions to save lives during the Rwandan genocide were dramatized in the 2004 film Hotel Rwanda. He was played by Don Cheadle, Clooney’s co-star in the Ocean’s Eleven series and Out of Sight. Rusesabagina has continued to be a vocal critic of Rwanda’s current ruling party, which he has accused of committing human rights violations. He has been charged with forming an armed group, financing terrorism, complicity in kidnapping, and armed robbery, among other offenses.
Rusesabagina disappeared on August 27, 2020 in Dubai. Four days later, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau announced that he was in their custody and, in a series of tweets, alleged that he “[wa]s suspected to be the founder,...
- 9/16/2020
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Works in progress to include ‘Reconstructing Utoya’; new science section includes portrait of Oliver Sacks.
Cph:Dox has unveiled the 26 projects to be presented in its Cph:Forum, its financing and co-production event (March 21-22) that works across creative filmmaking.
The projects are from the likes of established directors such as Maxim Pozdorovkin (Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer), Guy Davidi (5 Broken Cameras), Camilla Nielsson (Democrats), Anna Eborn (Pine Ridge) and Grant Gee (Meeting People is Easy).
Topics range from a family trying to find their own utopia in an organic village; a portrait of Lee Miller; the filmic obsessions of Lars von Trier; and Chinese women trying to find a partner by age 27.
For the fifth year, the Forum projects are eligible for the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award of $18,400 €15,000 for the event’s best pitch. Kickstarter provides guidance and promotional support for the Forum projects as well.
More than 150 attending decision makers will include European broadcasters such as...
Cph:Dox has unveiled the 26 projects to be presented in its Cph:Forum, its financing and co-production event (March 21-22) that works across creative filmmaking.
The projects are from the likes of established directors such as Maxim Pozdorovkin (Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer), Guy Davidi (5 Broken Cameras), Camilla Nielsson (Democrats), Anna Eborn (Pine Ridge) and Grant Gee (Meeting People is Easy).
Topics range from a family trying to find their own utopia in an organic village; a portrait of Lee Miller; the filmic obsessions of Lars von Trier; and Chinese women trying to find a partner by age 27.
For the fifth year, the Forum projects are eligible for the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award of $18,400 €15,000 for the event’s best pitch. Kickstarter provides guidance and promotional support for the Forum projects as well.
More than 150 attending decision makers will include European broadcasters such as...
- 2/8/2018
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
Emma Watson has gone from speaking on wizardry to speaking to world leaders. The Harry Potter star once again gave a speech on gender equality that could be the most inspiring thing you see all day.
Watson, the Un Women Global Goodwill Ambassador, spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Friday to promote the Un Women's HeForShe Impact 10X10X10 pilot initiative. The one-year program will be geared toward advancing women by working with governments, companies and universities to promote change in communities.
News: Game of Thrones Star Maisie Williams Criticizes Emma Watson's 'First World Feminism'
The self-proclaimed feminist began her speech by pointing out all the progress made since she last spoke on gender equality in September, calling out Prince Harry, Yoko Ono and Hillary Clinton's response to the initiative -- but leaving out Taylor Swift.
"I've had my breathe taken away when a fan told me that since watching my speech...
Watson, the Un Women Global Goodwill Ambassador, spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Friday to promote the Un Women's HeForShe Impact 10X10X10 pilot initiative. The one-year program will be geared toward advancing women by working with governments, companies and universities to promote change in communities.
News: Game of Thrones Star Maisie Williams Criticizes Emma Watson's 'First World Feminism'
The self-proclaimed feminist began her speech by pointing out all the progress made since she last spoke on gender equality in September, calling out Prince Harry, Yoko Ono and Hillary Clinton's response to the initiative -- but leaving out Taylor Swift.
"I've had my breathe taken away when a fan told me that since watching my speech...
- 1/23/2015
- Entertainment Tonight
Three months of remembrance and mourning culminated today in Rwanda as the country marked the 20th anniversary of the 1994 genocide that divided a nation and shocked the world. President Paul Kagame was joined by world leaders, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, along with a crowd of some 30,000 Rwandans, in the city of Kagali's soccer stadium to commemorate the lives lost. Several mourners, overcome with emotion, had to be escorted out of the remembrance ceremony. The powerful images out of Rwanda are proof that while its residents and the world community have moved past the violence, the emotional wounds it created are still fresh. Kagame's words themselves were evidence of that; French diplomats refused to take part in the commemoration ceremony today after a recent interview in which Kagame was critical of what he suggested was complicity on the part of France and Belgium in the genocide. The bloody...
- 4/8/2014
- by Lindsay Miller
- Popsugar.com
The Olympic cyclist lived through the genocide and many of his family were killed. Now his achievements are helping to change the way the world views Rwanda – and how it sees itself
There have been a lot of odd moments in Adrien Niyonshuti's life recently. Most of them started when a group of Americans arrived in Rwanda and put on a bicycle race in September 2006. Adrien, a 19-year-old student, won and, as his prize, he was allowed to keep the mountain bike he had borrowed from the visitors for the event. It was a Schwinn, nothing that special by western standards, but exponentially more advanced than anything little, landlocked Rwanda – about the size of Wales but with four times as many inhabitants – had ever seen. He actually didn't ride it very much. No one else in the country had a mountain bike to go with him, so it was dull on his own.
There have been a lot of odd moments in Adrien Niyonshuti's life recently. Most of them started when a group of Americans arrived in Rwanda and put on a bicycle race in September 2006. Adrien, a 19-year-old student, won and, as his prize, he was allowed to keep the mountain bike he had borrowed from the visitors for the event. It was a Schwinn, nothing that special by western standards, but exponentially more advanced than anything little, landlocked Rwanda – about the size of Wales but with four times as many inhabitants – had ever seen. He actually didn't ride it very much. No one else in the country had a mountain bike to go with him, so it was dull on his own.
- 7/22/2013
- by Tim Lewis
- The Guardian - Film News
Huge congratulations are in order for Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan-Tatum, Reid Carolin, and Deborah Scranton!! Today in New York, their incredible documentary, ‘Earth Made of Glass‘, just received a prestigious Peabody Award, which recognizes excellence in radio, television, and new media.
Chan and Jenna executive produced ‘Earth Made of Glass‘ with Reid via their production company 33&Out and Deborah’s Clover & a Bee Films. The political documentary had a standing room only premiere at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival (with the President of Rwanda in attendance), was an official selection at the 2010 Abu Dhabi Film Festival, and also received a 2011 Producers Guild Award nomination for Best Documentary Theatrical Motion Picture.
‘Earth Made of Glass‘ was also picked up by HBO, where fans can watch it on HBO Signature East on Tuesday, May 22nd at 8:40 Am Central and on Hbogo through May 31st, and you can Click Here to buy the DVD.
Chan and Jenna executive produced ‘Earth Made of Glass‘ with Reid via their production company 33&Out and Deborah’s Clover & a Bee Films. The political documentary had a standing room only premiere at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival (with the President of Rwanda in attendance), was an official selection at the 2010 Abu Dhabi Film Festival, and also received a 2011 Producers Guild Award nomination for Best Documentary Theatrical Motion Picture.
‘Earth Made of Glass‘ was also picked up by HBO, where fans can watch it on HBO Signature East on Tuesday, May 22nd at 8:40 Am Central and on Hbogo through May 31st, and you can Click Here to buy the DVD.
- 5/21/2012
- by admin
- Channing Tatum Unwrapped
The Fray's new song "Heartbeat" seems to be about reviving a broken relationship, with lyrics like "I wanna kiss your scars tonight, and baby, you gotta try, you gotta let me in."
But the inspiration for the rock tune has little to do with a failed romance. Instead, it comes from one of the worst tragedies in recent memory – the genocide in Rwanda nearly two decades ago.
Lead singer and writer Isaac Slade was visiting the Rwandan capital of Kigali last year when he found himself standing on the site where more than 250,000 victims of the country's 1994 genocide were buried. Then he had an epiphany.
"(I was) at this gathering with a bunch of local (people) and ex-pats, all standing in circle holding hands, just kind of thinking and talking about Rwanda. This chick was standing next to me and I couldn't tell if it was her heartbeat or mine,...
But the inspiration for the rock tune has little to do with a failed romance. Instead, it comes from one of the worst tragedies in recent memory – the genocide in Rwanda nearly two decades ago.
Lead singer and writer Isaac Slade was visiting the Rwandan capital of Kigali last year when he found himself standing on the site where more than 250,000 victims of the country's 1994 genocide were buried. Then he had an epiphany.
"(I was) at this gathering with a bunch of local (people) and ex-pats, all standing in circle holding hands, just kind of thinking and talking about Rwanda. This chick was standing next to me and I couldn't tell if it was her heartbeat or mine,...
- 2/28/2012
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Title: The Way Directed By: Emilio Estevez Written By: Emilio Estevez, based on stories from Jack Hitt’s “Off the Road: A Modern-Day Walk Down the Pilgrim’s Route in Spain”-available on Amazon.com for $14.22. Cast: Martin Sheen, Emilio Estevez, Yorick van Wageningen, Deborah Kara Unger, James Nesbitt, Antonio Gil Screened at: Review 1, NYC, 9/22/11 Opens: October 7, 2011 During the recent session of the United Nations in New York, the diplomats relaxed in their hotels. Paul Kagame, the president of Rwanda, stayed at the Mandarin at $16,000 per night, and since the average Rwandan makes $1500 a year, it would take a year’s pay to spend about two hours there....
- 10/6/2011
- by Brian Corder
- ShockYa
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After debuting on HBO a few weeks ago, Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan-Tatum’s political documentary ‘Earth Made of Glass‘ is now available on HBOGo through May 31st, and for those who don’t have HBO, the DVD also began shipping out Yesterday.
Fans can Click Here to order the ‘Earth Made of Glass‘ DVD for $19.95, and you can also buy a limited edition, autographed version for $50.00 (only 100 are available). Each autographed copy is signed by both Chan and Jenna, who executive produced the film with their producing partner Reid Carolin via their production company 33andOut.
The moving documentary, which is directed by Deborah Scranton, takes an inside look at the repercussions of the 1994 Rwandan genocide from political and personal perspectives. ‘Earth Made of Glass‘ details Rwandan president Paul Kagame’s role in rebuilding the war-torn country into Africa’s biggest success story and the multi-generational story of genocide survivor Jean Pierre Sagahutu,...
After debuting on HBO a few weeks ago, Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan-Tatum’s political documentary ‘Earth Made of Glass‘ is now available on HBOGo through May 31st, and for those who don’t have HBO, the DVD also began shipping out Yesterday.
Fans can Click Here to order the ‘Earth Made of Glass‘ DVD for $19.95, and you can also buy a limited edition, autographed version for $50.00 (only 100 are available). Each autographed copy is signed by both Chan and Jenna, who executive produced the film with their producing partner Reid Carolin via their production company 33andOut.
The moving documentary, which is directed by Deborah Scranton, takes an inside look at the repercussions of the 1994 Rwandan genocide from political and personal perspectives. ‘Earth Made of Glass‘ details Rwandan president Paul Kagame’s role in rebuilding the war-torn country into Africa’s biggest success story and the multi-generational story of genocide survivor Jean Pierre Sagahutu,...
- 5/15/2011
- by Channing Tatum Unwrapped
- Channing Tatum Unwrapped
Pre-Order a Limited Edition ‘Earth Made of Glass’ DVD Signed by Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan-Tatum
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After debuting on TV last week, Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan-Tatum’s political documentary ‘Earth Made of Glass‘ will air again on HBO2 on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 2:30pm Et/Pt.
For anyone who subscribes to HBO, the film is currently available on HBO ONDemand Documentaries through April 29th and will also be available on HBOGo from April 16th through May 31st.
For those who don’t have HBO, you can Click Here to pre-order the ‘Earth Made of Glass‘ DVD for $19.95. You can also buy a limited edition, autographed version for $50.00 (only 100 are available). Each autographed copy is signed by both Chan and Jenna, who executive produced the film with their producing partner Reid Carolin via their production company 33andOut.
Librarys, high schools, and colleges are also able to purchase an educational copy of the DVD’s, and they will all ship out on May 13, 2011.
For those who don’t know,...
After debuting on TV last week, Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan-Tatum’s political documentary ‘Earth Made of Glass‘ will air again on HBO2 on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 2:30pm Et/Pt.
For anyone who subscribes to HBO, the film is currently available on HBO ONDemand Documentaries through April 29th and will also be available on HBOGo from April 16th through May 31st.
For those who don’t have HBO, you can Click Here to pre-order the ‘Earth Made of Glass‘ DVD for $19.95. You can also buy a limited edition, autographed version for $50.00 (only 100 are available). Each autographed copy is signed by both Chan and Jenna, who executive produced the film with their producing partner Reid Carolin via their production company 33andOut.
Librarys, high schools, and colleges are also able to purchase an educational copy of the DVD’s, and they will all ship out on May 13, 2011.
For those who don’t know,...
- 4/13/2011
- by Channing Tatum Unwrapped
- Channing Tatum Unwrapped
For the globally conscious among us who want to want to see Hotel Rwanda (how long has it been sitting in your Netflix queue?), Earth Made of Glass, exec produced by Channing Tatum, offers an emotionally engaging, informative view of post-genocide Rwanda that spares you from anything too hard to stomach. The idea of the film is not to replay the horror of the Rwandan genocide, but to find a blueprint for peace and ending cycles of violence in conflict areas. Tatum saw producing the movie as an opportunity to educate himself as well as younger viewers. “I knew of the genocide,...
- 4/6/2011
- by Stephan Lee
- EW - Inside TV
Christian Slater's new show premieres tonight and I realized I'd seen him in a few new shows in the past couple of years so I checked. In the last three years Christian Slater has been the lead in three different television series. 2008 gave us "My Own Worst Enemy" which lasted all of nine episodes. 2009 gave us "The Forgotten" which lent itself to all sorts of bad puns yet continued through 2010 and boasted a total of 17 episodes before disappearing from the airwaves. Tonight we see the premiere of "Breaking In" where Slater will no doubt play a wise-cracking hard ass of some variety who mayhaps has a soft side. I'm not sure yet, we'll have to see. In between all that unsuccessful television Mr.Slater has been keeping busy, since he currently has 8 other projects listed as completed or in post-production and one more in pre-production. I'm not kidding, look for yourself.
- 4/6/2011
- by Intern Rusty
“There is no den in the wide world to hide a rogue. Commit a crime, and the Earth is Made Of Glass.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
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As I previously posted, ‘Earth Made of Glass‘ will premiere on HBO next month. We now have a few more details I can share…
The film, which chronicles the search for truth and peace in post-genocide Rwanda, debuts exclusively on HBO2 Wednesday, April 6th at 8:00-9:30 p.m. Et/Pt and replays April 27th at 2:30p.m. Et/Pt. Fans can check out the newly released official page for the film on HBO’s site.
For those who don’t know, ‘Earth Made of Glass‘ is executive produced by Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan-Tatum, and Reid Carolin’s production company 33&Out and Deborah Scranton’s Clover & a Bee Films.
The political documentary had a standing room only premiere at the 2010 Tribeca...
Tweet
As I previously posted, ‘Earth Made of Glass‘ will premiere on HBO next month. We now have a few more details I can share…
The film, which chronicles the search for truth and peace in post-genocide Rwanda, debuts exclusively on HBO2 Wednesday, April 6th at 8:00-9:30 p.m. Et/Pt and replays April 27th at 2:30p.m. Et/Pt. Fans can check out the newly released official page for the film on HBO’s site.
For those who don’t know, ‘Earth Made of Glass‘ is executive produced by Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan-Tatum, and Reid Carolin’s production company 33&Out and Deborah Scranton’s Clover & a Bee Films.
The political documentary had a standing room only premiere at the 2010 Tribeca...
- 3/20/2011
- by Channing Tatum Unwrapped
- Channing Tatum Unwrapped
“There is no den in the wide world to hide a rogue. Commit a crime, and the Earth is Made Of Glass.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Earlier this year ‘Earth Made of Glass‘, a political documentary produced by Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan-Tatum, and Reid Carolin’s production company 33&Out and Deborah Scranton’s Clover & a Bee Films, received a coveted 2011 Producers Guild Award nomination for Best Documentary Theatrical Motion Picture.
Although I’ve known this for months, I can finally officially report that the film has been purchased by HBO and will premiere on the cable channel on April 6th!!!
And I once again want to send out a Huge Congrats to Deborah, Reid, Chan and Jenna!!!
The moving film, which has been endorsed by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, follows Rwandan President Paul Kagame and genocide survivor Jean-Pierre Sagahutu and had a standing room only premiere at...
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Earlier this year ‘Earth Made of Glass‘, a political documentary produced by Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan-Tatum, and Reid Carolin’s production company 33&Out and Deborah Scranton’s Clover & a Bee Films, received a coveted 2011 Producers Guild Award nomination for Best Documentary Theatrical Motion Picture.
Although I’ve known this for months, I can finally officially report that the film has been purchased by HBO and will premiere on the cable channel on April 6th!!!
And I once again want to send out a Huge Congrats to Deborah, Reid, Chan and Jenna!!!
The moving film, which has been endorsed by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, follows Rwandan President Paul Kagame and genocide survivor Jean-Pierre Sagahutu and had a standing room only premiere at...
- 2/18/2011
- by Channing Tatum Unwrapped
- Channing Tatum Unwrapped
Reminder: UK Fans Can Watch Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan-Tatum’s ‘Earth Made of Glass’ Tomorrow!!!
“There is no den in the wide world to hide a rogue. Commit a crime, and the Earth is Made Of Glass.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
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In addition to the film’s 2011 Producers Guild Award nomination for Best Documentary Theatrical Motion Picture, I have even more great news about ‘Earth Made of Glass‘ for UK fans…
I want to send out a Big Congrats to Deborah Scranton, Reid Carolin, Chan and Jenna!!! Their political documentary will have a nationwide UK broadcast premiere on Channel 4’s More4 on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 10pm!
The moving film, which has been endorsed by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, follows Rwandan President Paul Kagame and genocide survivor Jean-Pierre Sagahutu and had a standing room only premiere at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City this past April.
Against the backdrop of the world’s deadliest war in neighboring Eastern Congo, Rwandan President...
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In addition to the film’s 2011 Producers Guild Award nomination for Best Documentary Theatrical Motion Picture, I have even more great news about ‘Earth Made of Glass‘ for UK fans…
I want to send out a Big Congrats to Deborah Scranton, Reid Carolin, Chan and Jenna!!! Their political documentary will have a nationwide UK broadcast premiere on Channel 4’s More4 on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 10pm!
The moving film, which has been endorsed by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, follows Rwandan President Paul Kagame and genocide survivor Jean-Pierre Sagahutu and had a standing room only premiere at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City this past April.
Against the backdrop of the world’s deadliest war in neighboring Eastern Congo, Rwandan President...
- 1/3/2011
- by Channing Tatum Unwrapped
- Channing Tatum Unwrapped
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Recently, Relativity Media (who has worked with Channing Tatum for his films ‘Fighting‘,’Dear John‘, and ‘Haywire‘) announced they closed a production deal with Chan, Jenna Dewan-Tatum, and their producing partner Reid Carolin under a currently unnamed production company.
The two year production pact gives Relativity the opportunity to partner with Chan, Jenna, and Reid’s new production company on projects they develop. Here’s what Relativity’s President of Worldwide Production, Tucker Tooley, had to say about the freshly inked deal…
“Channing is an immensely talented actor and incredibly enthusiastic about finding material to produce with Reid. We look forward to working with the two of them over the coming years.
Although it’s not a part of the Relativity deal, the new production company’s first project is ‘Ten Year‘, which is currently in pre-production and will start filming in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area this...
Recently, Relativity Media (who has worked with Channing Tatum for his films ‘Fighting‘,’Dear John‘, and ‘Haywire‘) announced they closed a production deal with Chan, Jenna Dewan-Tatum, and their producing partner Reid Carolin under a currently unnamed production company.
The two year production pact gives Relativity the opportunity to partner with Chan, Jenna, and Reid’s new production company on projects they develop. Here’s what Relativity’s President of Worldwide Production, Tucker Tooley, had to say about the freshly inked deal…
“Channing is an immensely talented actor and incredibly enthusiastic about finding material to produce with Reid. We look forward to working with the two of them over the coming years.
Although it’s not a part of the Relativity deal, the new production company’s first project is ‘Ten Year‘, which is currently in pre-production and will start filming in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area this...
- 12/13/2010
- by Channing Tatum Unwrapped
- Channing Tatum Unwrapped
The Producers Guild of America (PGA) announced on Friday, Dec. 3, the Documentary Theatrical Motion Picture nominees for the 2010 Producers Guild Awards. The nominated films, listed below in alphabetical order, are: Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer Earth Made of Glass Inside Job Smash His Camera The Tillman Story Waiting for 'Superman' Four of the six nominees are to be found in the Academy Awards' longlist as well. The two exceptions are Deborah Scranton's Earth Made of Glass and Leon Gast's Smash His Camera. Earth Made of Glass features a couple of stories set in post-genocide Rwanda, one of which follows Rwandan president Paul Kagame's attempts to free a close aide arrested in France on charges of terrorism and to tell the world about the French government's hidden role in the 1994 genocide. Smash His Camera chronicles the life and work of paparazzi Ron Gallela. Nominations...
- 12/4/2010
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Man who inspired Hollywood film denies government claims that he sent money to rebels
The real-life character who inspired the film Hotel Rwanda after saving hundreds of lives during the 1994 genocide has been accused of terrorism by the country's prosecutor general.
Paul Rusesabagina is alleged to have funded the "terrorism activities" of the Fdlr, a rebel group led by Rwandan Hutus in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Martin Ngoga, Rwanda's prosecutor general, said that Rusesabagina would be summoned by the courts on charges linked to those against Victoire Ingabire, an opposition leader who was arrested two weeks ago.
"We have evidence that Paul Rusesabagina is one of those others who have been financing the same genocidal rebels of the Fdlr," Ngoga said.
Rusesabagina, 56, who now lives in the Us, rejected the allegations as "baseless" and said they were part of a smear campaign launched against him because of his strident criticism of President Paul Kagame.
The real-life character who inspired the film Hotel Rwanda after saving hundreds of lives during the 1994 genocide has been accused of terrorism by the country's prosecutor general.
Paul Rusesabagina is alleged to have funded the "terrorism activities" of the Fdlr, a rebel group led by Rwandan Hutus in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Martin Ngoga, Rwanda's prosecutor general, said that Rusesabagina would be summoned by the courts on charges linked to those against Victoire Ingabire, an opposition leader who was arrested two weeks ago.
"We have evidence that Paul Rusesabagina is one of those others who have been financing the same genocidal rebels of the Fdlr," Ngoga said.
Rusesabagina, 56, who now lives in the Us, rejected the allegations as "baseless" and said they were part of a smear campaign launched against him because of his strident criticism of President Paul Kagame.
- 10/28/2010
- by Xan Rice
- The Guardian - Film News
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This past week, I found a few bits of news about Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan-Tatum’s current and upcoming film projects ‘Earth Made of Glass‘, ‘Dear John‘, and ‘Son of No One‘. Enjoy!!!
Earth Made Of Glass Screening
Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan-Tatum executive produced their first movie via their production company 33&Out this past Spring.
That film is a political documentary called ‘Earth Made of Glass‘, and it follows the moving stories of Rwandan President Paul Kagame and survivor Jean-Pierre Sagahutu as they try to help heal their genocide ravished country.
The film recently screened at Dartmouth, and had an Oscar-qualifying run in La and New York, and now, fans in San Fransisco will have an opportunity to watch the documentary too!
‘Earth Made of Glass‘ will be showing at the Landmark Embarcadero Theater on September 30th . Director Deborah Scranton will also have a Q...
This past week, I found a few bits of news about Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan-Tatum’s current and upcoming film projects ‘Earth Made of Glass‘, ‘Dear John‘, and ‘Son of No One‘. Enjoy!!!
Earth Made Of Glass Screening
Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan-Tatum executive produced their first movie via their production company 33&Out this past Spring.
That film is a political documentary called ‘Earth Made of Glass‘, and it follows the moving stories of Rwandan President Paul Kagame and survivor Jean-Pierre Sagahutu as they try to help heal their genocide ravished country.
The film recently screened at Dartmouth, and had an Oscar-qualifying run in La and New York, and now, fans in San Fransisco will have an opportunity to watch the documentary too!
‘Earth Made of Glass‘ will be showing at the Landmark Embarcadero Theater on September 30th . Director Deborah Scranton will also have a Q...
- 9/10/2010
- by Channing Tatum Unwrapped
- Channing Tatum Unwrapped
“There is no den in the wide world to hide a rogue. Commit a crime, and the Earth is Made Of Glass.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Exciting news!!! ‘Earth Made of Glass‘, a political documentary that’s produced by Channing Tatum, wife Jenna Dewan-Tatum, and Reid Carolin under their production company 33&Out, will have and Oscar-qualifying run in theaters in New York City and Los Angeles starting this weekend.
The moving film, which has been endorsed by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, follows Rwandan President Paul Kagame and genocide survivor Jean-Pierre Sagahutu and had a standing room only premiere at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City this past April.
Against the backdrop of the world’s deadliest war in neighboring Eastern Congo, Rwandan President Paul Kagame released a report on August 6th, 2008 detailing the French government’s hidden role in planning the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Three months later,...
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Exciting news!!! ‘Earth Made of Glass‘, a political documentary that’s produced by Channing Tatum, wife Jenna Dewan-Tatum, and Reid Carolin under their production company 33&Out, will have and Oscar-qualifying run in theaters in New York City and Los Angeles starting this weekend.
The moving film, which has been endorsed by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, follows Rwandan President Paul Kagame and genocide survivor Jean-Pierre Sagahutu and had a standing room only premiere at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City this past April.
Against the backdrop of the world’s deadliest war in neighboring Eastern Congo, Rwandan President Paul Kagame released a report on August 6th, 2008 detailing the French government’s hidden role in planning the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Three months later,...
- 8/21/2010
- by Channing Tatum Unwrapped
- Channing Tatum Unwrapped
Tweet Earlier this year, Channing Tatum and wife Jenna Dewan-Tatum joined forces with friend and fellow producer Reid Carolin to executive produce their first film via their production company 33&Out. That film is a moving political documentary called ‘Earth Made Of Glass‘, and the well received doc, which follows Rwandan President Paul Kagame and genocide survivor Jean-Pierre Sagahutu, had a standing room only premiere at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City this past April.
I was lucky enough to attend the premiere with Chan, Jenna, Reid, and their good friends Nick Zano, Haylie Duff, and Jamie Linden (the screenwriter for ‘Dear John‘).
What could top sitting in between that particular group of people?…Sitting two seats behind Paul Kagame and having the opportunity to rub elbows with him backstage after the premiere. He’s not only the current President of an African nation, but he’s also...
I was lucky enough to attend the premiere with Chan, Jenna, Reid, and their good friends Nick Zano, Haylie Duff, and Jamie Linden (the screenwriter for ‘Dear John‘).
What could top sitting in between that particular group of people?…Sitting two seats behind Paul Kagame and having the opportunity to rub elbows with him backstage after the premiere. He’s not only the current President of an African nation, but he’s also...
- 8/12/2010
- by Channing Tatum Unwrapped
- Channing Tatum Unwrapped
There are two very different truths uncovered in Earth Made of Glass, the new documentary from director Deborah Scranton and producer Reid Carolin that debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival. First there is the horrifying, and largely under-reported, fact that France helped build the situation in Rwanda that led to the 1994 genocide, and even worse, provided arms and funds to the killers themselves. The second truth is a much more personal one, as Rwandan genocide survivor Jean-Pierre Sagahutu travels around his family's old neighborhood to learn who was responsible for murdering his father, both as a way to recover and a way to help his young son understand the meaning of the genocide, now long in the past. Scranton and Carolin were first inspired to make the film after Scranton had a chance encounter with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who has worked mightily, and successfully, both to help his country...
- 5/3/2010
- cinemablend.com
Earth Made of Glass offers an insider's look into how the popular His Excellency President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and everyday citizens, like Jean Pierre Sagahutu, are moving on in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide. The film chronicles the personal journey of Sagahutu, an educated "fixer" and happily married, father of three, who sets out to investigate his father's murder. Interwoven into the personal narrative is a history of the highly politicized events and key players involved in Rwanda's downfall. After the screening, Fast Company reporter Jeff Chu spoke with director Deborah Scranton, producer Reid Carolin and the documentary's star, Sagahutu. Chu began the discussion by stating that the film is "one of the most honest portrayals of the people of Rwanda and the spirit of Rwanda and the hope of the people." He then asked Director Scranton to share her own impetus for taking on such a painful subject...
- 4/30/2010
- TribecaFilm.com
It has been 15 years since Rwanda was torn apart by a horrific genocide, and though the country has recovered remarkably well, old wounds still run throughout the country. From attempts to normalize relationships with the Western world and revealing the truth about France's involvement in the genocide to one man's attempt to find his father's remains, the new documentary Earth Made of Glass persuasively and movingly uncovers all of the ongoing efforts for renewal in a country that has suffered unimaginably. Getting an amazing level of access to Rwandan President Paul Kagame as well as regular citizen Jean Pierre Sagahutu, documentarian Deborah Scranton has created an important and devastating film, at equal points moving, infuriating, and inspiring. By covering Kagame's efforts toward rebuilding his country and setting the historical record straight as well as Sagahutu's determined efforts toward locating his father's remains, Scranton covers both the large-scale picture of Rwanda's...
- 4/28/2010
- cinemablend.com
Controversy was stoked ahead of last night's premiere of a doc examining the rehabilitation of a war-torn central African country mired by its recent past, while also implicating a Western power in participating in genocide. "This is the story of Rwanda. It's our story, but we also have to move forward," said Rwanda's President Paul Kagame following the world premiere of Deborah Scranton's doc, "Earth Made of Glass," at the Tribeca ...
- 4/27/2010
- Indiewire
Deborah Scranton and President Paul Kagame, courtesy Getty Images Last night's World Premiere of Earth Made of Glass at the Bmcc Tribeca Performing Arts Center included many special guests, but one in particular was an extraordinary honor for Tribeca, as the Festival welcomed His Excellency President Paul Kagame of Rwanda. The film, directed by returning filmmaker Deborah Scranton (The War Tapes, Tff 2006), looks at the 1994 genocide in that country through the lens of both the current head of state and some everyday citizens. Earth Made of Glass is a moving portrait of a country that has come through a devastating period of darkness into a period of hope and delicate peace. The Film Fellows program at Tribeca Film Institute allows high-school students who are aspiring filmmakers to experience the Festival - they attend screenings of all types of films, meet with filmmakers, and attend workshops - in an effort to...
- 4/27/2010
- TribecaFilm.com
“Commit a crime and the earth is made of glass” these are the words by American Poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson that introduces the documentary “Earth Made of Glass”. This is an interesting way to introduce a film. Does it denotes the transparency of the world or does it imply when someone is wronged, the truth will be easy to find? Does it mean, fragility of the world is apparent when someone is wronged? Either way the subject matter of “Earth Made of Glass” is apt to above statement.
The film is set in Rwanda and is a look back at the genocide of the Tutsi by the Hutu and the French in 1994. This is set as a journey of one man named Jean Pierre Sagahutu, a man haunted by the death of his father during the occupation. His fifteen year search for an clues or the whereabouts of his father’s murderers.
The film is set in Rwanda and is a look back at the genocide of the Tutsi by the Hutu and the French in 1994. This is set as a journey of one man named Jean Pierre Sagahutu, a man haunted by the death of his father during the occupation. His fifteen year search for an clues or the whereabouts of his father’s murderers.
- 4/27/2010
- by Rudie Obias
- CriterionCast
Today’s Video of the Week is a very special early birthday wish from Channing Tatum (who’s b-day is tomorrow) and wife Jenna Dewan-Tatum.
As I previously posted, Chan and Jenna have joined forces with friend and fellow producer Reid Carolin to executive produce their first movie via their production company 33&Out. The film is called ‘Earth Made Of Glass‘, which is a moving documentary that follows the Rwandan President Paul Kagame and genocide survivor Jean-Pierre Sagahutu, and it will have it’s world premiere at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival Tomorrow.
Fans can check out Chan and Jenna’s special birthday wish in the CTU exclusive video below…
Per Chan and Jenna’s wish, please support the film by joining the community on Twitter and Facebook and spread the word to at least 5 of your friends!!!
The film is getting rave reviews and has been chosen as a...
As I previously posted, Chan and Jenna have joined forces with friend and fellow producer Reid Carolin to executive produce their first movie via their production company 33&Out. The film is called ‘Earth Made Of Glass‘, which is a moving documentary that follows the Rwandan President Paul Kagame and genocide survivor Jean-Pierre Sagahutu, and it will have it’s world premiere at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival Tomorrow.
Fans can check out Chan and Jenna’s special birthday wish in the CTU exclusive video below…
Per Chan and Jenna’s wish, please support the film by joining the community on Twitter and Facebook and spread the word to at least 5 of your friends!!!
The film is getting rave reviews and has been chosen as a...
- 4/26/2010
- by Channing Tatum Unwrapped
- Channing Tatum Unwrapped
As ‘Dear John‘ took over the #1 spot in the UK box office (clashing with ‘Titans’ and taming a ‘Dragon’), Channing Tatum continued to film his crime thriller ‘Son of No One‘ in New York City and wife Jenna Dewan-Tatum filmed her romantic comedy ‘Balls to the Wall‘ in Los Angeles.
Fans can check out the latest pics of the bi-coastal sweethearts on today’s post in the CTU photo gallery.
We have Chan walking around the Soho district of NYC in his ever-popular Vibram Five Fingers and visiting a photo gallery on April 19th and Jenna showing off her gorgeous gams in La on April 17th and on the set of her new movie this week.
We also have a couple of exclusive personal pics (aka Glamour Shots) that Jenna just tweeted to fans today. Just in case there was ever any doubt, the pics make it really clear...
Fans can check out the latest pics of the bi-coastal sweethearts on today’s post in the CTU photo gallery.
We have Chan walking around the Soho district of NYC in his ever-popular Vibram Five Fingers and visiting a photo gallery on April 19th and Jenna showing off her gorgeous gams in La on April 17th and on the set of her new movie this week.
We also have a couple of exclusive personal pics (aka Glamour Shots) that Jenna just tweeted to fans today. Just in case there was ever any doubt, the pics make it really clear...
- 4/22/2010
- by Channing Tatum Unwrapped
- Channing Tatum Unwrapped
Trailer for the documentary Earth Made of Glass, which will debut at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival, which begins next week.
The story goes… On Nov 11th, 2008, Rwandan President Paul Kagame’s closest aide, Rose Kabuye, is arrested by France on charges of terrorism. Meanwhile, Jean Pierre, a Rwandan genocide survivor, scours the countryside in search of clues to his father’s murder fifteen years ago.
With the fate of both a country and a family hanging in the balance, Jean Pierre and the President fight to uncover and expose the truth, each ultimately coming face-to-face with the same choice: to take revenge or turn the other cheek.
I feel like I’ve seen more than my fair share of documentaries on Rwanda’s recent history, on the web, in theatres, and on DVD. This seems to wants us to believe its different from all the others.
The below trailer plays...
The story goes… On Nov 11th, 2008, Rwandan President Paul Kagame’s closest aide, Rose Kabuye, is arrested by France on charges of terrorism. Meanwhile, Jean Pierre, a Rwandan genocide survivor, scours the countryside in search of clues to his father’s murder fifteen years ago.
With the fate of both a country and a family hanging in the balance, Jean Pierre and the President fight to uncover and expose the truth, each ultimately coming face-to-face with the same choice: to take revenge or turn the other cheek.
I feel like I’ve seen more than my fair share of documentaries on Rwanda’s recent history, on the web, in theatres, and on DVD. This seems to wants us to believe its different from all the others.
The below trailer plays...
- 4/15/2010
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
From the director of "The War Tapes" comes a powerful new film that looks at the horrific 1994 genocide in Rwanda from both personal and political perspectives. On August 6, 2008, against the backdrop of the world's deadliest war in neighboring Eastern Congo, Rwandan President Paul Kagame released a report detailing the French government's hidden role in planning the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Three months later, his closest aide, Rose Kabuye, was ...
- 4/15/2010
- indieWIRE - People
As I previously posted, Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan-Tatum have joined forces with friend and fellow producer Reid Carolin to executive produce their first movie via their production company 33&Out.
The film is called ‘Earth Made Of Glass‘, which is a moving documentary that follows the Rwandan President Paul Kagame and genocide survivor Jean-Pierre Sagahutu, and it will have it’s world premiere at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival this month.
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair recently watched the documentary and gave a glowing endorsement of film…
“Earth Made of Glass is a truly inspirational film…this film shows how one country is navigating uncharted waters, providing a model for ending hatred and violence, alongside a transformation into one of Africa’s great success stories.”
Tickets for the April 26th premiere and April 27th, April 30th, and May 1st screenings just went on sale to American Express card members at 11Am Est Today!
The film is called ‘Earth Made Of Glass‘, which is a moving documentary that follows the Rwandan President Paul Kagame and genocide survivor Jean-Pierre Sagahutu, and it will have it’s world premiere at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival this month.
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair recently watched the documentary and gave a glowing endorsement of film…
“Earth Made of Glass is a truly inspirational film…this film shows how one country is navigating uncharted waters, providing a model for ending hatred and violence, alongside a transformation into one of Africa’s great success stories.”
Tickets for the April 26th premiere and April 27th, April 30th, and May 1st screenings just went on sale to American Express card members at 11Am Est Today!
- 4/13/2010
- by Channing Tatum Unwrapped
- Channing Tatum Unwrapped
Tonight, we have chosen to preview a film, which seeks to expose a genocide, hopefully answering many questions. Deborah Scranton’s Earth Made of Glass is a documentary, focusing on the genocide in Rwanda, occuring in 1994, whose ramifications are still felt to this day.
From the trailer, the film looks to be feature a very serious, grim topic, but is something that we should all expose ourselves to, as this modern horror is an event that few talk about today.
Earth Made of Glass will screen on April 26th, 27th, 30th, and May 1st. For a complete list of screening times and locations, visit the official Tribeca Page. You can also visit the films website, become a fan on Facebook, or follow the film’s events on Twitter.
From the director of The War Tapes comes a powerful new film that looks at the horrific 1994 genocide in Rwanda from both personal and political perspectives.
From the trailer, the film looks to be feature a very serious, grim topic, but is something that we should all expose ourselves to, as this modern horror is an event that few talk about today.
Earth Made of Glass will screen on April 26th, 27th, 30th, and May 1st. For a complete list of screening times and locations, visit the official Tribeca Page. You can also visit the films website, become a fan on Facebook, or follow the film’s events on Twitter.
From the director of The War Tapes comes a powerful new film that looks at the horrific 1994 genocide in Rwanda from both personal and political perspectives.
- 4/10/2010
- by Ryan Gallagher
- CriterionCast
“There is no den in the wide world to hide a rogue. Commit a crime, and the Earth is Made Of Glass.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Models, dancers, actors, and now you can add producers to the long list of abilities Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan-Tatum have in their every-growing talent arsenal.
The couple has joined forces with friend and fellow producer Reid Carolin to executive produce their first film via their new production company 33&Out.
‘Earth Made Of Glass‘, a moving documentary that follows the Rwandan President Paul Kagame and genocide survivor Jean-Pierre Sagahutu, will be the first movie to carry the 33&Out production company title.
The new documentary follows a president and a citizen—bound together by a profound love of country and an unquenchable desire to see the truth revealed— as they fight to uncover the mystery behind a murder and France’s hidden role in the horrific 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Models, dancers, actors, and now you can add producers to the long list of abilities Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan-Tatum have in their every-growing talent arsenal.
The couple has joined forces with friend and fellow producer Reid Carolin to executive produce their first film via their new production company 33&Out.
‘Earth Made Of Glass‘, a moving documentary that follows the Rwandan President Paul Kagame and genocide survivor Jean-Pierre Sagahutu, will be the first movie to carry the 33&Out production company title.
The new documentary follows a president and a citizen—bound together by a profound love of country and an unquenchable desire to see the truth revealed— as they fight to uncover the mystery behind a murder and France’s hidden role in the horrific 1994 Rwandan genocide.
- 3/30/2010
- by Channing Tatum Unwrapped
- Channing Tatum Unwrapped
Earlier this month the film As We Forgive, a documentary about Rwanda, was released on DVD (check out the trailer here). It does not chronicle the 1994 genocide, but what has come after: Rwanda's struggle to rebuild itself. Rwanda's President, Paul Kagame, is following a path of reconciliation, not punishment, to make his country whole: In 2005, he released nearly 60,000 genocide prisoners who admitted their crimes and apologized to their communities. Within that context, this film focuses on the theme of forgiveness. Can a woman not only forgive the man who killed her husband, her child, her mother, but accept him as her friend and neighbor? Can a man forgive himself for the brutal act he committed when neither the state nor his victim is asking for payment? Is closure possible here? As We Forgive,...
- 10/28/2009
- by Josh Ruxin
- Huffington Post
Ahead of the 15th anniversary of the genocide, Paul Kagame talks about the memory of 1994, Rwanda's development plans, and its custom-made democracy.
Since 1994, the tiny African nation of Rwanda has effectively been run by rebel leader-turned-politician Paul Kagame. He has won praise for stamping out corruption and restoring stability, while critics have raised questions about his regime's commitment to democracy as well as its involvement in the unrest in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. As his country prepared to mark the 15th anniversary of the genocide that killed about an eighth of its population, he told Fast Company why Rwanda's political system make sense, explained the place of the genocide in the national memory, and made the case for why foreigners should invest in his homeland.
Fc: Much of the Rwandan national "brand identity" is associated with the genocide and the recovery from that tragedy. But government officials repeatedly...
Since 1994, the tiny African nation of Rwanda has effectively been run by rebel leader-turned-politician Paul Kagame. He has won praise for stamping out corruption and restoring stability, while critics have raised questions about his regime's commitment to democracy as well as its involvement in the unrest in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. As his country prepared to mark the 15th anniversary of the genocide that killed about an eighth of its population, he told Fast Company why Rwanda's political system make sense, explained the place of the genocide in the national memory, and made the case for why foreigners should invest in his homeland.
Fc: Much of the Rwandan national "brand identity" is associated with the genocide and the recovery from that tragedy. But government officials repeatedly...
- 4/6/2009
- by Jeff Chu
- Fast Company
Why the country's officials say they're taking a wait-and-see approach to the new administration
A few days after Barack Obama's inauguration, I called a Rwandan diplomat who had helped me with my story on that country’s remarkable economic-development strategy. "Did you go to the balls?" I asked. The response was tepid. "I stayed home," the diplomat said with a sigh. "I watched it on TV." What I found, in talking to this diplomat and other officials, was broad ambivalence, not about President Obama himself, who is widely adored in Africa, but about his team. It goes back to 1994 and the Clinton Administration's inaction during the genocide. "We are seeing a lot of old faces coming back in the Obama Administration. These are the same people who shied away from the opportunity to stop it," the diplomat told me on condition of anonymity, because of the sensitivity of the issue.
A few days after Barack Obama's inauguration, I called a Rwandan diplomat who had helped me with my story on that country’s remarkable economic-development strategy. "Did you go to the balls?" I asked. The response was tepid. "I stayed home," the diplomat said with a sigh. "I watched it on TV." What I found, in talking to this diplomat and other officials, was broad ambivalence, not about President Obama himself, who is widely adored in Africa, but about his team. It goes back to 1994 and the Clinton Administration's inaction during the genocide. "We are seeing a lot of old faces coming back in the Obama Administration. These are the same people who shied away from the opportunity to stop it," the diplomat told me on condition of anonymity, because of the sensitivity of the issue.
- 3/20/2009
- by Jeff Chu
- Fast Company
Rwandan president Paul Kagame has criticized the Oscar-nominated movie Hotel Rwanda for not portraying his country's 1994 genocide accurately. The controversial film was directed, written and produced by Terry George, and stars Don Cheadle as Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who saved over 1,200 Tutsi refugees. Eight hundred thousand Tutsis and Hutus were killed during 100 days of savage violence in the African country. But during a visit to Washington DC on Wednesday, Kagame disputed Hotel Rwanda's portrayal of Rusesabagina as a hero. Kagame said, "It has nothing to do with Rusesabagina. He just happened to be there accidentally, and he happened to be surviving because he was not in the category of those being hunted. Someone is trying to rewrite the history of Rwanda and we cannot accept it." Kagame claims the hotel became a safe haven partly because United Nations (UN) forces were staying there and because the killers drank beer there.
- 6/5/2006
- WENN
Don Cheadle has finally visited the hotel on which he based his critically-acclaimed movie Hotel Rwanda. The 40-year-old actor toured the Hotel des Milles Collines in Rwanda's capital Kigali last month, speaking with several of the more than 1,000 people who were sheltered there by manager Paul Rusesabagina - the character portrayed by Cheadle in the film - during the country's 1994 genocide. Cheadle, who earned an Oscar nomination for the film, says, "All of their experiences were the stuff of epic films - things they had to go through in those 100 days. It was amazing." The Hollywood actor, who had never seen the hotel because the 2004 film was shot primarily in South Africa, met with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, attended the premiere of Hotel Rwanda in Uganda and toured displaced-person camps in the country's northern provinces. He now plans to write a book with John Prendergast of the nonprofit International Crisis Group about how individual Americans can respond to Africa's problems. He explains, "It's really talking about my path out of apathy, and what people can do who are having the same questions and feelings. I had the same concerns and skepticism about sending aid to some shadowy situation where I didn't know if a warlord was going to get the money."...
- 8/22/2005
- WENN
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