SHOOTING DOGS
stars: John Hurt, Hugh Dancy and Clare-Hope Ashitey
Director: Michael Caton-Jones
Joe Connor has come to teach in Rwanda because he believes he can make a difference. When the school becomes a haven for thousands of Rwandans fleeing the genocide, Joe promises his brightest pupil, Marie, that the UN soldiers will protect her from the hordes of extremist militia baying for blood outside the school. But when the UN abandon the refugees, Joe and the school’s headmaster, Father Christopher, face an agonising dilemma: should they leave or should they stand firm with the Rwandans. As the UN trucks force their way through the terrified refugees, Joe stares at the tear-stained face of Marie.What should he do?
Based on real events, filmed at the actual location where this story took place, and involving a number of genocide survivors as its cast & crew members, SHOOTING DOGS is an emotionally gripping, authentic and powerful recreation of a tragic real life story that took place at L'École Technique Officielle during the Rwandan genocide of 1994. This is not just a film about Rwanda. It is a film about humanity, and the questions each one of us must confront, wherever in the world we may be, when evil threatens to steal the very basis of this humanity away from us.The release of SHOOTING DOGS is being supported by 2 Blogs to initiate discussion and awareness of the Rwandan genocide and the devastating effect it has had on the Rwandan people. The film’s producer David Belton is also sharing his production diary and thoughts on making a difficult, thought-provoking and important motion picture.
