vernon film society
Bringing the best in world and Canadian film to film lovers of Vernon and the North Okanagan
SHAKE HANDS WITH THE DEVIL
Director: Roger Spottiswoode
Cast: Roy Dupuis, Debora Kara Unger, Jean-Hughes Anglade, Mark Antony Krupa
Run Time: 120 minutes
Country: Canada
Language: English
Rating: Not yet rated
Reviews: Not yet released
Peter Raymont’s 2004 documentary SHAKE HANDS WITH THE DEVIL: THE JOURNEY OF ROMÉO DALLAIRE, evocatively chronicled Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire’s harrowing experiences in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide. Now, acclaimed Canadian director Roger Spottiswoode (“And the Band Played On,” TOMORROW NEVER DIES), brings Dallaire’s story to the screen in a powerfully different manner: as a finely wrought drama.
In his most memorable role to date, Quebec superstar Roy Dupuis (THE ROCKET, THAT BEAUTIFUL SOMEWHERE) virtually transforms into Dallaire, who, upon his return to Canada after the genocide, began intensive therapy sessions. As Dallaire attempts to work through his trauma – often, he cannot find the words to express his pain, so he stares pensively and sadly into the distance – the story begins to unfold in extended flashbacks. When Dallaire arrived in a Rwanda divided between Hutu and Tutsi factions, he was utterly committed to the United Nations peacekeeping mission, and proud to represent his country. His strident belief that peace was a real possibility created an atmosphere of positive thinking that permeated the international forces stationed there. Soon, however, Dallaire was faced with some shocking realities, both about the nature of the conflict in Rwanda and the lack of commitment on the part of the international community, including France and the United States, to help. As the world turned a blind eye and Rwanda sank deeper into violence, there was little Dallaire could do but watch the chaos unfold. The greatest horror for him, of course, was the knowledge that the genocide could have been prevented.
Based on Dallaire’s memoirs by the same name, SHAKE HANDS WITH THE DEVIL is a riveting character study as well as a crucial rendering of Canada’s recent political history. Dupuis delivers an almost transcendent performance, portraying the beleaguered Dallaire with great economy of expression. Canada’s involvement in the ill-fated UN peacekeeping mission in Rwanda is one of this country’s most documented legacies; the opportunity to witness it through the lens of dramatic reconstruction should not to be missed.
