Shake Hands With the Devil

We've recommended a lot of good films before. Here's one that actually matters.

In 1994 -- only thirteen years ago -- we, as in the western world, stood by and watched as something happened that we promised ourselves would never happen again. But really, at the time, most of us didn't give a shit.

It wasn't really reported, not in the way it should've been. I'm talking about the Rwandan Genocide.

One man in particular really did care, though. Really made an effort to let the west know what was happening so something could be done... even if his efforts were in vain. His name is Romeo Dellaire.

Shake Hands With the Devil -- which, incidentally, shares its name with a book he wrote himself -- is a documentary about the genocide, focusing mostly on his return journey to the country he clearly loves a decade on.

Devil isn't easy to watch. It's quite graphic at times. Throughout the course of the film, Dellaire talks about how he battled post-traumatic stress disorder and alcoholism on his return to Canada. Watching this man beat himself up, even when he knows he did everything he could, is truly gut-wrenching.

Call into question some of his choices if you will, but you'd have to be one seriously icy individual to not feel sorry for him.

We've told you that you have to see certain films before, but really -- and I can't emphasise this one enough -- see this one. Right now. Devil obviously isn't something you'll enjoy. It'll leave you completely drained but, importantly, questioning how on earth this could have happened and why nothing was done to stop it until it was too late.