On 7th April, Rwanda, and Rwandese around the world, began ‘Kwibuka’ meaning “to Remember”, which is an annual Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The week-long official Commemoration reflects on the 100 days, between April and July 1994, during which over 800,000 men, women & children, of the Tutsi and moderate Hutu, were slaughtered.
This made headlines around the world.
A lesser-known Story, however, is that of “The 600”.
When the Genocide began on 7th April 1994, a group of 600 soldiers from the 3rd Battalion of the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA), in Kigali for Peace Talks, became surrounded by over 10,000 Soldiers of the Hutu Power Government.
“The 600: The Soldiers’ Story is an important and inspirational Film, that not only honours self-sacrifice and courage, but also honours the memory of those who died during the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994”, says its Hollywood Writer & Producer – Richard Hall.
Adding “It also makes a connection between the RPA soldiers, and the civilians they were trying to protect, in one of the most desperate military missions of all time, in stopping this Genocide. The 600 soldiers, surrounded and outnumbered by Government soldiers and Militias, rescued hundreds of civilians and began the counter-attack that restored order in Rwanda by 100 days.”
The 114-minute Action Docufilm, by Great Blue Production, was officially Released in Rwanda on 4th July 2019 - the 25th official Anniversary of Rwanda’s Liberation Day, when the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) stopped the Genocide and liberated the country.
Internationally acclaimed, The 600 has won Best Documentary at the Winter Film Awards in New York City, Best Director for a Feature Documentary at the Golden State Film Festival and Best Feature at the Austria International Film Festival 2020.
It was Directed by Laurent Basset - a renowned Hollywood Cinematographer, and Executive Produced by Richard Hall, also from Hollywood, as well as Annette Uwizeye a seasoned Kigali-based Filmmaker.
“We are grateful that the Producers have entrusted this very important piece of Rwandan history with MyMovies.Africa™, to make it available Worldwide in 190 Countries & Territories, in time for the Commemoration”, says Trushna Buddhdev-Patel, Co-Founder & Content Director.
International Commemoration activities were held this Week at the African Union and United Nations, among others and Kwibuka27 activities are being held at the Household level by Rwandans everywhere and in Rwanda’s High Commissions worldwide, while observing the prevention measures against COVID-19.
