Introduction
Hotel Rwanda and Equilibrium are two much-spoken movies centered around the controversial issue of questioning the option for choice in nowadays realities. The movie directors and scriptwriters convey diverse meanings in their works and want people to comprehend them carefully when they are overwhelmed with controversial emotions in a decision-making process. These movies portray characters standing on the proverbial highway, wondering what to do next to save their true selves and remain humane.
Being crushed down by the severe circumstances and stark obstacles popping up during their life paths, they manage not to lose their heart and tap into the righteous alternation to survive and shield their beloveds. These movies create hope for viewers who are about to doubt the existence of humanity, kindness, and spiritual generosity in people’s hearts. At the outset, these works have several differences and messages to mull over. Still, they have one significant feature in common, showing that the world will never go into tatters till brave individuals live.
Differences and Similarities in Character Portrayal, Symbolism, and Communication of the Theme
As mentioned above, these two works have several differences and similarities. One profound common feature is that the movie directors dedicate their works to the issue of humanity and goodwill. The communication of the key theme is devoted to the option of the right choice aiming to disintegrate the totalitarian regime liable for mass people’s mascara and incineration. The symbolism in these movies is the “perfect society” label, but the symbolic meanings are projected alternatively.
In the case of “Hotel Rwanda,” the perfect society is maintained with the austere weapon “genocide” to eradicate the core people who do not correspond to the image of the superior nations. As to “Equilibrium,” the concept of “perfect society” implies the elimination of human beings able to act out operating on their senses and emotions, as thinking people present the real threat to a totalitarian government.
Evidently, characters depicted in these pictures become outcasts as they sacrifice their own well-being, struggling with the injustice of word order. It can be observed that Paul (Hotel Rwanda protagonist) does not have any contemplations concerning his mission and decides to protect people without any reservations, even under the high risk of being slain. As for John Preston (the first-dimensional character of Equilibrium), there is a significant transformation in his personality after he falls in love. He is a dead-hearted enforcer at the beginning of the picture, but he manages to transform his cruel nature and becomes a person who combats the stark reality he has created before. The main message in these movies is to remain human and spiritually filled in order to restore justice, even though it requires sacrificing their own lives.
The Message Delivery
Although these pictures have the same meaning conveyed, there is a slight difference in their manifestations. In Paul’s case, it takes little time to make the decision to save people hidden in his hotel where he has been working as a leading manager (Terry 2002). He uses the luxurious hotels as a shelter for human beings who are to be victims of the genocide procedure. He contributes all life that he has built for so long to defend his neighbors. He is ready to put his life and his family’s life at stake to save the majority. This is a case of a man who is prepared to lose everything he loves but save others and display the act of great love to people because, for him saving others means being human. A few individuals are determined to part with their beloveds to protect hardly known human beings.
As to the Equilibrium case, there is a slight difference in the manifestation of humane essence. It takes time for John Preston to change his mind and see the other world he has never witnessed. Love for a young woman makes him see the world-destroying, making people like animals with no soul, heart, or emotions. In comparison with Paul (Hotel Rwanda), John Preston decides to combat the authoritarian regime to shield his love, making him see the utopian reality.
These movies show different stories about two separate men who were raised in varying conditions. Their worldviews are distinct, yet, they still show humanity and, therefore, “Hotel Rwanda” and “Equilibrium” have similar messages. Paul was raised with the understanding that people need to stay together to survive, so he risked everything. Paul is human because he feels a strong connection with people, and that is why he is different from John Preston.
Viewer’s Perception
From my perspective, Hotel Rwanda speaks more effectively as it is a picture based on a real story. This is a mesmerizing, scintillating depiction of the courageous man who stands up against enemies and blankets the residents of a small town with unconditional love and devotion. It is an inspiring narration that might find a response in viewers’ hearts. Equilibrium is a production of imaginations with no sense on the surface, but it has a deep meaning behind the lines that only a well-educated person with moral principles taught might uncover.
References to Other Works
Hotel Rwanda is reminiscent of Shindler’s list, where a person being a member of the Nazis party and a successful entrepreneur used his factory to save Jewish children from prosecution and further death. These two narrations are based on true stories where people are endowed with kind and sympathetic hearts, leading them to give a helping hand to people who are in devastating positions. Even though their duty calls to act firmly and soullessly under the controversial circumstances they are immersed in; they do not forget their human essence.
When it comes to the Equilibrium story, which settings take place in the imaginary world compared to Hotel Rwanda settings, this work is evocative of Orwell’s novel “1984”, where freedom is the option from the past (Wimmer 2002). Orwell’s and Equilibrium works portray totalitarian worlds where people perform like thoughtfulness cogs in the system with no senses, sensations, and personal standpoints. Only love and compassion make first-dimensional characters defy decaying governmental systems.
Conclusion
It stands to reason that these movies have to be at the top of the list of seeing, as they raise awareness among people who wonder what human essence looks like and how to be independent of governmental systems claiming mandatory obedience. Sometimes it is highly challenging to display humanity as the harsh reality beats individuals providing them with no choice but to betray their friends. Still, the main characters manage to save their true selves with no undermining of their individualities.
Works Cited
Hotel Rwanda. Directed by George Terry, MGM Distribution Co, Entertainment Film Distributors. 2002. Web.
Equilibrium. Directed by Kurt Wimmer. Miramax Films 2002. Web.