„Survivors' plea over genocide film rush.“ The Voice 1126 (Aug 9-Aug 15, 2004). 6.

THE 1994 Rwanda genocide, which saw nearly one million people killed in 100 days, is soon to be back in the public eye as a slew of movies is released. But survivors fear the movies will divert attention from the humanitarian assistance the country now needs.

Shooting Dogs, Hotel Rwanda, and Sometimes in April are just three of the US-backed movies under production about the massacre. Stars John Hurt and Nick Nolte are expected to feature in the movies.

However, Mary Blewitt, of the Rwanda Survivors Fund, believes that while the episode cannot be forgotten, attention needs to be paid to the lingering effects of the genocide on the country. "It depends on the angle of the films," she said. "Raising the debate is a good thing and it's good to bring these things forward. „We need to show a lot more of what hasn't been done in the last ten years rather than just the event itself. There's a lot happening there now regarding issues such as HIV/Aids. It didn't stop when the machetes stopped."

A French movie is also being made focusing on the relationship between a Canadian journalist and a local woman. The 10-year anniversary was recently commemorated in London with the readings of testimonials of female survivors.

Photograph (Pile of bodies in Rwanda)