A new documentary, Rwanda, le Paradis retrouvé (Rwanda, humanity at its best), meant to help Canadians, and many other foreigners, know Rwanda better, premiered in Kigali on March 23.
The 70-minute film is the work of a collaborative effort by a Rwandan-Canadian, Chantal Mudahogora and a Quebecois cineaste, or filmmaker, Charles Domingue, who started the project in 2019.
Their documentary showcases, among others, the unique community based tourism in Rwanda, highlighting stories of unity, reconciliation, resilience and renewal – nearly three decades after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi – which make Rwanda an extraordinary travel destination. The documentary is the result of four years of "intense work and multiple trips” to Rwanda by the filming team.
Mudahogora told The New Times that the project involved a long and meticulous process of touring Rwanda, filming its beauty, attractions, and meeting with its people.
She said: "I am hoping that this documentary will reach out to as many people as possible; hence it will change the perceptions of them about Rwanda and Africa in general. We are bringing Rwanda to the world.
"This documentary will make people explore Rwanda from afar; hopefully some will want to visit Rwanda after watching it. Also, we are targeting the younger population in schools and universities. Those are the future leaders of this planet earth; we want them to be aware of Rwanda’s recovery after the genocide.”
Domingue, a Quebecois "globe-trotter" who is in love with the African continent, collaborated with Mudahogora, in their quest to change the Canadian narrative and perception of Rwanda. Despite the cost of a significant investment in terms of money and time, they were determined to bring Rwanda to their fellow Canadians.
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Their passion for this project has led them to celebrate the premiere of their audacious work, and they hope to take it to big theatres, eminent TV channels, and schools in Canada. Mudahogora, a clinical psychologist, who has lived and worked in Canada for more than 20 years, is now back in Rwanda, and she believes her country has a lot to offer to the world.
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She said: "When Canadians watch the documentary and see the uniqueness of Rwanda in terms of unity and reconciliation; where the perpetrators live in harmony with the survivors, they are speechless.
"We would also like to see it played in the RwandAir flights.”
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Mudahogora, said the documentary is part of the many tools that will help change the perception of Canadians about Rwanda and will neutralize the genocide deniers' rhetoric with an accurate narrative.
They hope it changes the wrong and bad narratives about Rwanda and show the country as a resilient and beautiful nation with a remarkable history.
"This documentary is a way to promote Rwanda and carry its message to the world.
It is a compelling and educational film for all viewers, showcasing the beauty and culture of Rwanda while promoting its unique tourism model, she said.
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Jackson Hakiza Sabani, a tourism product development expert at Rwanda Development Board (RDB), appreciated the film as a new opportunity to showcase Rwanda as a major tour destination.
"We really appreciate it," Sabani said, while also thanking everyone who took part in producing the film.
Sabani committed RDB's efforts to supporting future endeavors.
Assumpta Muhayisa, the Executive Director of Memory and Genocide Prevention at Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement, also praised the documentary as a great gem that gives hope to every global citizen and shows a new image of Rwanda that some people didn't know about.
She said: "The documentary shows what we've been through and how we've evolved since 1994."
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