Shake Hands with the Devil

Shake Hands with the Devil is a 2007 historical war drama film directed by acclaimed filmmaker, Roger Spottiswoode. The film stars Roy Dupuis, Owen Sejake, James Gallanders among others. This movie recreates the atrocities suffered in Rwanda amidst a civil war. The events that unfurl in this movie are based on the award-winning book ‘Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda’ written by Lt. Gen. Roméo Dallaire who was at the helm during the 1994 United Nations peacekeeping mandate in Rwanda.

In this historical drama, we follow the heart-wrenching expedition of Lt. Gen. Roméo Dallaire, played by the dynamic Roy Dupuis. He is a seasoned international solider from Canada, who is appointed to guide the ungainly United Nations peacekeeping efforts in Rwanda. His assignment, however, soon spirals down into a journey rife with brutal violence, mass atrocities and political disputes. The film chronicles Dallaire's desperate efforts to halt the mass slaughter, his struggles with uncooperative superiors and his team's life-threatening missions.

Dupuis, makes a compelling protagonist in his portrayal of Dallaire. Bringing gravitas to the role, Dupuis is successful in capturing the frustration, helplessness and mounting sense desperation that Dallaire must have felt during his tenure in Rwanda.

The filming style is raw and vivid, capturing the harsh realities on the ground. Director, Roger Spottiswoode, does not sugarcoat the bloody truth of the genocide, and the movie holds nothing back. In terms of narrative, the film is linear and chronological, giving audiences a day-by-day account of what transpired during those fatal months.

Owen Sejake and James Gallanders play supporting roles as Augustin Bizimungu and Major Brent Beardsley respectively. Sejake’s portrayal of Rwandan army commander Bizimungu is chilling, whereas Gallanders brings to life Dallaire’s right-hand man, Major Brent Beardsley, highlighting the charged, tense relationships within the UN peacekeeping team. Amidst the escalating violence, the movie also explores the underlying politics that obstruct the peacekeeping process, showing how bureaucracy and indifference from developed countries played into the genocide.

However, amidst the grim realities depicted in the movie, 'Shake Hands with the Devil' also hails the spirit of indomitable courage, persistence, and humanism, embodied by Dallaire and his peacekeeping force. Caught in an unimaginable crisis, these individuals strive with all their might to mitigate the violence, showcasing their indomitable spirit even when confronted with the indescribable horrors of genocide.

The film immerses the viewer in the harsh reality of the events that unfolded, poignantly shedding light on the macro view of political divide and indifference in the international community, as well as offering a micro view of individual human struggle and courage in the face of large-scale violence. Alongside the gritty performance of the leads, the film is held together by the strength of its screenplay that manages to capture the chaos and devastation of the time while offering depth and nuance to the characters navigating through these situations.

A key strength of 'Shake Hands with the Devil' lies in its stark realism and refusal to sanitize the gruesome reality of war and genocide. The film's vivid cinematography and art direction recreate the grim scenes of 1994 Rwanda, placing a spotlight on an important event in world history that needs to be remembered.

In conclusion, 'Shake Hands with the Devil' is a film that weaves a depiction of a horrifying chapter from our recent human history while serving as a poignant reminder of the horrific price of international indifference and inaction. The formidable screenplay, coupled with compelling performances, portrays the chilling events in Rwanda, offering a cinematic experience that is both moving and enlightening. This film is a must-watch for anyone seeking to understand the complex politics, human struggles, and violence of the Rwandan Genocide.