On Sunday 4th July 2021, Rwanda, and Rwandans around the World, celebrate ‘Kwibohora’ – which is Kinyarwanda for “to Release or Liberate oneself”, which is an annual Commemoration of the struggle for Liberation between 1990 to 1994, initiated by the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) and its military wing the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA).
Kwibohora, follows Kwibuka (“to Remember”) which is the official Commemoration reflecting on the 100 days, between April and July 1994, during which over 800,000 men, women & children, of the Tutsi and moderate Hutu, were slaughtered.
A lesser-known Story, however, is that of The 600. When the Genocide began on 7th April 1994, a group of 600 soldiers from the 3rd Battalion of the RPA, in Kigali for Peace Talks, got surrounded by over 10,000 Soldiers of the Hutu Power Government.
“The 600: The Soldiers’ Story is an important and inspirational film, that not only honours self-sacrifice and courage, but also honours the memory of those who died during the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994”, says its Hollywood Writer & Producer, Richard Hall. “It also makes a connection between the RPA soldiers, and the civilians they were trying to protect, in one of the most desperate military missions of all time, in stopping this Genocide.”
The 600 soldiers, surrounded and outnumbered by government soldiers and militias, rescued hundreds of civilians and began the counter-attack that restored order in Rwanda by 100 days.
The 114-minute Action Docu-Film, by Great Blue Production, was officially released in Rwanda on 4th July 2019, the 25th official Anniversary of Rwanda’s Liberation Day, when the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) stopped the Genocide and Liberated the Country.
And two years later, Nairobi-based MyMovies.Africa™ has organised a 24-hour Global Screening, via ZOOM, for Rwandese living in various Time Zones around the World.
“Since its Premiere, Rwanda TV (RTV) broadcasts the Kinyarwanda version of The 600 every Liberation Day in Rwanda only”, says Mike Strano- Co-Founder & Business + Regulatory Director. “So, MyMovies.Africa™ wanted to Offer the same tradition to Rwandese abroad. As such, our software developers have created an additional online Screening module for our Service.”
Viewers simply Register for 1 of the 12 Screenings (like they would for a ZOOM Webinar), then Buy a Screening Ticket (which includes a FREE 7-Day Rental) and join the ZOOM with their community on Liberation Day. Private Screenings for companies, government, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), education institutions, etc are also available.
The 600 has won Best Documentary at the Winter Film Awards in New York City, Best Director for a Feature Documentary at the Golden State Film Festival and Best Feature at the Austria International Film Festival 2020.
It was Directed by Laurent Basset – a renowned Hollywood Cinematographer, and Executive Produced by Richard Hall, also from Hollywood, as well as Annette Uwizeye – a seasoned Kigali-based Filmmaker.
“We are grateful that the Producers have entrusted this very important piece of Rwandan history with MyMovies.Africa™, to make it available Worldwide in 190 Countries & Territories, in time for this Commemoration,” says Trushna Buddhdev-Patel – Co-Founder & Content Director.
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