Shooting Dogs shows the Rwandan Civil War through the eyes of a young English volunteer teacher in the École Technique Officielle in Kigali, Rwanda, in 1994, during the Rwandan genocide.
The title of the film is about a ridiculous situation where the UN is not allowed to shoot even to end the genocide (the order “Watch the world”) but had to shoot stray dogs eating the corpses of people to “avoid sanitary problems.”
Shooting Dogs (Beyond The Gates) 2005.
I have always believed that the main task of cinema is not only to entertain the viewer from the gray working days but also to raise quite relevant and essential topics on the screen. This film, directed by Michael Caton-Jones, coped with its task more than worthwhile.
Shooting Dogs is a reenactment of the shocking events 1994 that unfolded across Africa. For a long 100 days, Rwanda plunged into the abyss of a bloody massacre between the Tutsi and Hutu tribes. The concept of “genocide” was embodied in the total extermination of the former by the latter. The result was about a million brutally murdered people, including children, and over a quarter of a million women raped. A small detachment of peacekeepers prefers not to interfere and then quits, leaving two thousand people for slaughter. The Tutsi who survived at the time participated in making the film and starred as extras.
The mind refuses to believe that this was possible some 27 years ago.
It is hard to imagine such things are possible today in different forms.
My thoughts.
I just finished rewatching the movie Shooting Dogs and would like to share my thoughts.
Surprisingly, this film was also the first one, after which I began to appreciate my life more. In the finale, the heroine, who went through the “meat grinder,” said: “We have been given time.” And I took her advice. This phrase supported me in difficult situations for almost seven years.
After watching this movie for the third time today, I sighed: “It still hurts. And there is less and less inspiration.”
A female BBC reporter is covering the tense situation in the country. She was used to military conflicts, and the events in Rwanda did not touch her much. Today, I finally understood her message. She said something like this: “When I saw white women being killed in Kosovo, I imagined my murdered mother, and tears flowed from my eyes. I don’t cry in Rwanda because the murdered Ruanese are just dead black women.”
The BBC reporter voiced the position of the rest of the world, which is still relevant today: “Somewhere out there, someone is dying with whom I cannot identify.” You know I believe her. It is impossible to contain the pain of all mankind; your own shirt will almost always be closer to the body. This happens within the boundaries of the family, city, state, country, and continent.
Also, one very controversial character in the film is a UN peacekeeper. He is a soldier and obeys orders, but in this story, the peacekeepers were the last barrier behind which hundreds of people were safe until the soldiers left.
In the film, we do not see the emotional anguish of the commander about the fact that he dooms hundreds of people to a painful death. Perhaps these experiences did not exist. Sometimes I wonder how he sleeps at night.
Today I am glad that I was not born a male warrior, and I have no dilemma about whether to obey an order or not, to kill or save someone—a hard choice.
However, there are some great moments in the movie. John Hurt, as the priest, is compelling and organic. He ended his mission in the local church on a positive note when he was left to die with scared people who trusted him. And I am sure many people like this priest are among us.
This thought made me smile now. Hundreds of thousands of people in different countries have empathy and a good heart. And this means we have a chance someday to turn onto the road of humanism.
Why do people should watch Shooting Dogs?
I am far from making political decisions, but I think Shooting Dogs is an important picture. We need to remember that even now, there are events that deserve the whole world’s attention. There are places on the planet devoid of all justice, where methods of conflict resolution are far from those they are accustomed to.
It is not an entertainment film. It won`t make you feel good. I believe it is a catharsis film. It makes you think and teaches you to empathize. People should know about those sufferings, if only for the sake of them never happening again.
MORE ANTI WAR MOVIES
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Did you like my Shooting Dogs movie review? Leave a comment down below.
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I have not seen this movie but I will add it to my list. I agree that people should be more aware and educated about these types of things. It brings more knowledge and empathy. Thanks for sharing!
Such a sad story, but a big part of history that Americans don’t hear about. I have always been very interested in African history, but have not watched this movie yet. I will watch it soon. Thanks for sharing.
Oh my goodness! I’ve never heard of this situation or movie. It sounds so eye opening!
I havent seen this movie but it sounds great to me! I will definitely look into it.
Thanks for your good review. You just convinced me to watch it.
This film sounds both eye-opening and sad. Thank you for highlighting Shooting Dogs and bringing it to us.
I haven’t seen this movie but it was a breathtaking review tbh. Adding it to my list.
This looks like a good film to learn more about this time and these events. I hadn’t heard of this film and always enjoy learning new things.
I have not seen this movie, and based on your review this is something that I should watch. I reckon it will be worth watching. I like this kind of movie that makes me think.
I can’t believe I have never seen or head of the movie Shooting Dogs and I love Hugh Dancy.
Wow, I think the title for this movie is genius!
What a sad situation.
I do agree that the involvement of the world is different when something happens in Africa. As if it’s something that happens on another planet.
One of my favourite motivational movies is Life Is Beautiful. How the father tries to soften the horror of the war for his son brings you to tears.
I was just thinking to what watch next! But now, I guess I will go ahead and watch this. Thanks!
I haven’t seen this movie. It sounds absolutely heartbreaking! Really interesting review. Thank you!