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Lunch » Tags » Movies » Reviews » Sometimes in April

Sometimes in April

4 Ratings: 4.8

A movie

Starring Idris Elba, Carole Karemera, Pamela Nomvete, Debra Winger Directed by Raoul Peck Writer: Raoul Peck 2005 Product Description (Drama) In April 1994, one of the most heinous … see full wiki

Tags: Movies, Drama Movies

Cast: Noah Emmerich, Debra Winger, Idris Elba, Oris Erhuero, Carole Karemara, Pamela Nomvete, see all

Genre: Drama, War

Release Date: March 19, 2005

MPAA Rating: Unrated

1 review about Sometimes in April

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Even more powerful than Hotel Rwanda

Nov 11, 2008

by Schtinky

Rating:

Sometimes In April is a shocking portrayal of the lives of Rwandan survivors Augustine Muganza (excellently played by Idris Elba) and Sister Martine (talented Pamela Nomvete). While lacking the flair of Hotel Rwanda, `Sometimes' makes up for flash with brutal reality of the atrocities committed in 1994.

The movie bounces back and forth between the genocide in 1994 and 2004, when Augustine's brother Honore is on trial for his involvement with the genocide through his radio broadcasts on RTLM "Hutu Radio" show. Honore was a journalist who got caught up in the propaganda he spewed out over the airwaves, until the violence comes to his own family.

In 2004, Augustine is with Martine, and the movie goes backward in time from Honore's trial to document the horrors that both Augustine and Martine survived. This made for HBO movie is much more graphic than theater-released Hotel Rwanda, brutally shoving into your face the mass murder of innocent catholic schoolgirls, horrific testimony from a mother who was tortured and raped for days on end, and the callus indifference of the westernized world.

"It's just Rwandans killing Rwandans," says one official. "We have no oil, no dams, there is nothing in Rwanda for you," says Rwandan militia member, encouraging the US to stay out of the genocide. Equally as appalling as the mass murders are real-clips from Prudence Bushnell as she coldly described how the US classified Genocide, and all the political back-speak as the western nations tried to cover their impassiveness with words while one million human beings died.

Sometimes In April is a powerful, must-see movie, but not for the squeamish or feint of heart. It is brutal, and reminds us to "Never Forget". Expertly directed by Raoul Peck and filled with unknown but very talented actors, `Sometimes' will grab your attention and not let you go until the end. I did find the movie a bit hard to follow at times with the time-jumps, but not overwhelmingly so. Horrifically good movie with realistic portrayal. Enjoy!

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Count_Orlok_22 February 19, 2009

I couldn't agree with you more, Schtinky. I was a little disappointed with the casting and some of the direction in Hotel Rwanda, but this film stunned me. If you enjoyed this, I'd also recommend Beyond the Gates, which is also known as Shooting Dogs in the U.K..

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