00s Movie Review - Shooting Dogs

Director: Michael Caton-Jones
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 115 minutes
Year: 2005
Starring: John Hurt, Hugh Dancy, Dominique Horwitz, Claire-Hope Ashitey, David Gyasi, Susan Nalwoga, Steve Toussaint, Nicola Walker

Description: In April 1994, after the airplane of the Hutu President of Rwanda is shot down, the Hutu militias slaughter the Tutsi population. In the Ecole Technique Officielle, the Catholic priest Christopher (John Hurt) and the idealistic English teacher Joe Connor (Hugh Dancy) lodge two thousand and five hundred Rwandans refugees, under the protection of the Belgian UN force and under siege by Hutu militia. When the Tutsi refugees are abandoned by the UN, they are murdered by the extremist militia.

Review: “Shooting Dogs”. You wouldn’t say, but this is one of the most politically charged movie titles of the past years. Because shooting dogs was the only thing the soldiers were allowed to do in Rwanda, where the war between the Hutu’s and Tutsi’s is getting out of hand. One thing is sure: director Michael Caton-Jones has balls. He filmed on location and had some local people on his crew. His movie is extremely touching, gripping and confronting. No nuances, just as it is.
The movie is set at the ‘Ecole Technique’, a school where local kids are thought by Joe Connor and is led by priest Christopher. Both roles are very well cast. Hugh Dancy shows that he is worth more than the little roles he usually gets. The beauty of his role is that he shows us the dilemma’s he has as an European in Africa and the naivety he has as a young, unexperienced teacher. John Hurt doesn’t have to proof himself anymore, but his fatherly qualities grab you.
When desperation hits and thousands of Tutsi’s hide at the school, where Belgian UN soldiers keep peace, “Shooting Dogs” gets more tempo and adds tension. Bloody confrontations are shown and director Caton-Jones has great eye for detail. Besides the country in war, he also shows the personal struggles. Like Joe who can’t look away from a brutal murder and later he is confronted with a good friend who joined the gangs.
More and more Hutu’s gather and are armed with machetes, surrounding the school knowing there are Tutsi’s hiding there. The little room where Christopher holds mass, is the only place of peace and serenity. The camera shoots this wonderfully.
Joe ends up with a dilemma: run to safe his own life or stay and show solidarity and wait for his death on the campus. Christopher doesn’t have to make a choice, his heart lies with the school.
This movie is an eye opener. The movie is overlooked, I don’t think many people know this film. Most people would prefer “Hotel Rwanda”, with a similar theme, but I think this is the movie to watch. “Shooting Dogs” is confronting and it hits every nerve in your body.

Rating: 5/ 5