- 0:00:36 This is RTLM
- George Rutaganda [voiceover]: When people ask me, good listeners, why do I hate all the Tutsi, I say, "Read our history." The Tutsi were collaborators for the Belgian colonists, they stole our Hutu land, they whipped us. Now they have come back, these Tutsi rebels. They are cockroaches. They are murderers. Rwanda is our Hutu land. We are the majority. They are a minority of traitors and invaders. We will squash the infestation. We will wipe out the RPF rebels. This is RTLM, Hutu power radio. Stay alert. Watch your neighbours.
- 0:13:00 What is the Difference?
- At Hotel Bar. Paul is serving two journalists. One is from the West and the other from Rwanda.
Western Journalist: So, what is the actual difference between the Hutu and the Tutsi?
Rwandan Journalist: According to the Belgium colonists, the Tutsis are taller, are more elegant. It was the Belgians that created the division.
Western Journalist: How?
Rwandan Journalist: They picked people. Ahh, those with thinner noses, lighter skin. They used to measure the width of people's noses. The Belgians used the Tutsis to run the country; then when they left, they left the power to the Hutus and, of course, the Hutus took their revenge on the Tutsis for years of repression. Am I telling the truth, Paul?
Paul: Yes, unfortunately. (speaking to waiter) Please take these to the janitor. (speaking to the western journalist) Benedict is our finest journalist in Kigali, an expert on the subject.
Western Journalist: So what are you, Paul?
Paul: I am Hutu. Gentleman. (Paul exits)
Western journalist turns to a female sitting to his right. She is with a friend.
Western Journalist: Excuse me, honey, can I ask you a personal question? Are you a Hutu or a Tutsi?
Woman: I am Tutsi.
W.J. And your friend, Tutsi?
Woman's Friend: No, I am Hutu.
Western journalist turns to Rwandan journalist.
Western Journalist: They could be twins.
Western Producer approaches the bar.
Western Producer: Get the camera, the General is going to give us an interview.
Western Journalist: Alright.
- 0:22:08 Start Cutting the Tall Trees
- Paul is at home with his wife. There is a knock at the door. Several of Paul's neighbors are at the door.
Woman at door: Paul. (Paul opens the door. The woman is holding a radio which is on. The voice of a radio broadcaster is heard.)
Broadcaster: Listen to me good people of Rwanda. Terrible news.
Man at door: It is true.
Broadcaster: Horrible news. Our great president is murdered by the Tutsi cockroaches. They tricked him to sign their phony peace agreement, and then they shot his plane from the sky. It is time to clear the brush, good Hutus of Rwanda. We must cut the tall trees. Cut the tall trees now.
Neighbor: The soldiers are here!
Broadcaster: Let us go to work loyal Hutus.
then they shot his plane from the sky. It is time to clear the brush, good Hutus of Rwanda. We must cut the tall trees. Cut the tall trees now. Let us go to work loyal Hutus.
- 0:37:38 They Can Not Intervene
- Colonel Oliver of the United Nations being interviewed by a Western journalist.
Journalist: We have heard reports of reprisal massacres. Will the UN intervene to stop the bloodshed?
Colonel Oliver: We're here as peacekeepers, not as peacemakers. My orders are not to intervene. Excuse me.
Journalist: Thank you Colonel. - 0:42:15 Slaughter for the Evening News
- Paul arrives to fix the air conditioner in the room belong to a Western journalist. Knock at door. Door opens.
Journalist: Paul, thank you for coming. Ahh, the air conditioner is on the blink. Is there anyway you can have a look at it? I'm just on a deadline.
Paul: Certainly.
Journalist: Thank you. (picks up the phone) Brad, let me know when you get the satellite feed, thanks. (hangs up the phone)
Paul: Ah, Mr. Fleming, I brought you some tea as well, sir.
Journalist: Thank you, Paul. You're an oasis in a desert. (journalist plays back a tape which is an interview with Colonel Oliver)
Colonel Oliver: (on television) Yeah, umm, the government and the army are fallen into the example of what happened to the Americans in Somalia. Well, I think they are trying to intimidate us, trying to attack us and, uh, hope that the West will pull all its troops out.
Journalist: (on television) Do you think they'll succeed?
Colonel Oliver: No they won't. The U.N. is here to stay.
A Western cameraman enters the room.
Journalist: (in room speaking to cameraman) What the hell do you think your doing? I'm responsible for the safety of this crew. (cameraman puts a video in the player) What is this?
Player displays live video footage of the genocide. People are being killed. Journalist picks up the phone and places a call.
Journalist: (to cameraman) Where'd you get this?
Cameraman: Half a mile down the road.
Journalist: (on the phone) Fred, it's David. I've got incredible footage. It's a massacre. Dead bodies, machetes. If I get this through right away, can it make the evening news? Yeah. You have to lead with this. - 0:43:24 They Do Not Care
- The Western cameraman is seated at a table in the Hotel restaurant with several others. Paul is closing a door behind the cameraman and accidentally taps him. Paul apologizes and the cameraman rises to speak to Paul.
Cameraman: Hey, Paul. Listen, sorry about earlier. If I'd known you were in there, I wouldn't um.
Paul: I am glad that you have shot this footage and that the world will see it. It is the only way we have a chance. That people might intervene.
Cameraman: Yeah and if no one intervenes, it still a good thing to show?
Paul: How can they not intervene, when they witness such atrocities?
Cameraman: (shaking his head) I don’t know, I think, if people see this footage, they'll say, "Oh my God, that's horrible," and then go on eating their dinners. (he touches Paul's shoulder) What the hell do I know? - 0:46:10 The Baby Promises Not to Be a Tutsi
- The Red Cross Volunteer is sitting in a room waiting for Paul. Paul and his wife enter the room. They shake hands and sit.
Paul: We were expecting you five days ago.
R/Cross: I'm sorry.
Tatiana: My brother and his family, did you find them?
R/C: I made it to the house but it was empty.
Tatiana: Empty?
R/C: And ransacked. As I left, an old woman, she waved to me. I went to the house. She has the two little girls, they're safe.
Tatiana: Okay. But, my brother and his wife. Did the old lady know of them? (Red Cross shakes her head no) My brother is dead. They would never leave their children.
Paul: Perhaps they could not make it home, Tatiana. They are hiding. (Paul turns to Red Cross) Please, can you return and bring the girls back here to us?
R/C: I can't. There are Interhamwi road blocks everywhere. When I reached the orphanage, the Interhamwi were there. They'd already started killing children. They made me watch. There was one girl, she had her little sister wrapped on her back. As they were about to chop her, she cried out to me, "please don't let them kill me, I promise I won't be Tutsi anymore."
Tatiana: I can't. (Exits room)
R/C: They're targeting Tutsi children, Paul, to wipe out the next generation. I've nowhere to take the orphans, Paul.
Paul: Don't worry, there will be an intervention force coming soon, and we will get the orphans out then. - 0:49:22 No Rwandans May Leave
- Colonel Oliver storms to the bar after speaking to the head of the intervention force. Paul follows him. Colonel Oliver is sitting at the bar. Paul walks behind the bar.
Paul: So, Colonel, what can I get for you?
Colonel Oliver: Well, something strong.
Paul: Scotch?
Col. Oliver: Yeah.
Paul: Congratulations, Colonel. You have performed a minor miracle.
Col. Oliver: Congratulations, huh?
Paul: Yes sir.
Col. Oliver: You should spit on my face.
Paul: Excuse me Colonel?
Col. Oliver: You're dirt. We think you're dirt, Paul.
Paul: Who is we?
Col. Oliver: The west. All the superpowers. Everything you believe in, Paul. They think you're dirt. They think you're dung. You're worthless.
Paul: I'm afraid I don't understand what you are saying, sir.
Col. Oliver: Oh come on, don't bullshit me, Paul. You're the smartest man here. You got ‘em all eating out of your hands. You could own this freakin' hotel. Except for one thing. You're black! You're not even a nigger. You're an African. They're not gonna stay, Paul. They're not gonna stop the slaughter. - 1:03:46 They are cowards
- Mr. Tillens: Paul, what's going on?
Paul: They left. Thank you, sir. What did you do?
Mr. Tillens: I got through to the French president's office.
Paul: Well, thank you. You have saved our lives.
Mr. Tillens: I pleaded with the French and the Belgians to go back and get you all. I am afraid this is not going to happen. They are cowards, Paul. Rwanda is not worth a single vote to any of them. The French, the British, the Americans. I am sorry.
Paul: Thank you. - 1:04:40 Shame Them into Helping
- Paul is speaking to the refugees in the hotel lobby. There are hundreds in the room. All are closely listening. The scene flips from the lobby to video of refugees calling abroad for help.
Paul: There will be no rescue, no intervention force. We can only save ourselves. Many of you know influential people abroad. You must call these people. You must tell them what will happen to us. Say goodbye. But when you say goodbye, say it as though you are reaching through the phone and holding their hand. Let them know that if they let go of that hand, you will die. We must shame them into sending help. Most importantly, this can not be a refugee camp. The Interhamwi believe that the Miles Collines is a four star Sabena hotel. That is the only thing that is keeping us alive. - 1:06:22 Formula for Genocide?
- AA radio is on in the hotel lobby. Many people surrounded it. The scene shows clips of women, men, and children, playing, talking. Living. Broadcast on the radio is a United State Department of State press briefing.
Reporter on radio: Does the State Department have view, uh, as to whether or not what is happening could be genocide?
State official: We have every reason to believe that acts of genocide have occurred.
Another reporter: How many acts of genocide does it take to make genocide?
Official: Um, Alan, that's just not a question that I'm in a position to answer.
Reporter: True that the, that you have specific guidance not to use the word genocide in isolation, but always to preface it with this word acts?
Official: Um, I have guidance to which I try to use as best as I can and I have uh, there are formulations that we are using, that we are trying to be consistent in our use of…
A young man shuts off the radio. - 1:13:21 Halfway There
- Paul Rusesabagina: You cannot seriously think that you can kill them all.
George Rutaganda: And why not? Why not? We are halfway there already.
- 1:30:09 Kill the cockroaches
- RTLM: I say those Hutus who shelter the cockroaches are the same as cockroaches. They are all the same. Their fate should be the same. This is RTLM. The Tutsi cockroaches of the rebel army must be denied recruits. Come on, good Hutus. The graves are not yet full. Who will help us fill them? Stand by your radios. I am hearing some urgent news. We have received reports of very important cockroaches and traitors trying to escape from the Mille Collires Hotel. Gather up your weapons. Stand by your radios. We will keep you informed. They are being smuggled away.
- 1:40:40 The Last Bribery
- General Biziumungu: Have you ever been to Scotland?
Paul: No, Sir.
Biziumungu: Wonderful country. I wonder, will I ever go back? What do you think?
Paul: No. I hope we all get to do a great thing, General. Can we go now please, sir? - 1:41:51 Blackmail
- Paul Rusesabagina: General, these are difficult times, we need to help one another.
General Bizimungu: And what help can I get from you, Paul?
Paul Rusesabagina: You are a marked man, sir!
General Bizimungu: How so?
Paul Rusesabagina: You're on a list, the Americans have you on a list as a war criminal.
General Bizimungu: Paul, I am sick and tired of your lies.
Paul Rusesabagina: Are you stupid General? How do you think these people operate? You sit here with five stars on your chest, who do you think they're coming after?
[pause]
Paul Rusesabagina: Fine, we will go to Gitzarama and you will stay on that list.
General Bizimungu: I committed no war crimes.
Paul Rusesabagina: Who will tell them? You need me to tell them how you helped at the hotel. They blame you for all their misfortunes. They say you lead the massacres
General Bizimungu: I lead no massacres!
Paul Rusesabagina: Do you think they will believe you?
General Bizimungu: You will tell them the truth!
Paul Rusesabagina: I will tell them nothing unless you help me.
[General reaches for gun]
Paul Rusesabagina: What- what are you going to do... shoot me? Shoot me. Please shoot me. It would be a blessing. I would pay you to shoot my family. You can not hurt me.
General Bizimungu: You will tell them that I did nothing!
