Shooting Dogs: Preserving memories of genocide in Rwanda

Kagame (C) in a procession

A new film on Rwanda's genocide reduced many survivors to tears at its premiere in Kigali, but President Paul Kagame said on last Tuesday the movie would help to ensure memories of the mass murder were kept alive.

About 800,000 minority Tutsis and politically moderate Hutus in Rwanda were shot, hacked and beaten to death by extremist Hutu militias in 1994.

Despite a heavy downpour, the premiere of Shooting Dogs drew some 1,500 people to Kigali's Amahoro stadium, where thousands sought refuge during the 100 days of killing.

The film's title refers to the way UN troops shot dogs trying to eat the corpses that littered the streets of the Rwandan capital during the genocide.

A genocide survivor group has accused the filmmakers of causing fresh trauma to many survivors who worked as extras.

Shot in Rwanda and starring British actors John Hurt and Hugh Dancy, the film depicts the story of a Roman Catholic priest and a teacher caught up in the genocide.

Kagame said it was the events of 1994 that caused pain, not films about them.

The film portrays the massacre at Kigali's Ecole Technique Officielle, run by priests and home to Belgian UN troops.

At least 2,500 Tutsis took refuge there during the initial days of the genocide. But when UN soldiers pulled out, Hutu Interahamwe militias quickly overran the school and within hours most of the men, women and children were dead.

"The film should be a reminder of the mistakes made in our history by Rwandans but also by international community because they had a responsibility one way or another in which they failed," Kagame said.