Hotel Rwanda: Main Characters and Cast Guide

Hotel Rwanda (2004), directed by Terry George, dramatizes the true story of Paul Rusesabagina, who sheltered over 1,200 refugees during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Here are the key characters and the actors who portrayed them:

Central Figures

• Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle) – Manager of the Hôtel des Mille Collines; uses wit, bribes, and connections to protect Tutsi and moderate Hutu refugees
• Tatiana Rusesabagina (Sophie Okonedo) – Paul's Tutsi wife; courageous partner in the rescue efforts

Antagonists & Authorities

• Georges Rutaganda (Hakeem Kae-Kazim) – Hutu Interahamwe militia leader; fictionalized composite of extremist leaders
• Colonel Oliver (Nick Nolte) – Commander of UNAMIR (UN peacekeeping force); based on Canadian Gen. Roméo Dallaire; constrained by UN mandate

Journalists (Witnesses to History)

• Jack Daglish (Joaquin Phoenix) – Scottish TV journalist; documents atrocities, struggles with inaction
• David (David O'Hara) – American cameraman; Jack's colleague
• Pat Archer (Cara Seymour) – Australian journalist; provides outside perspective

Other Key Characters

• Bizimungu (Fana Mokoena) – Rwandan priest; moral voice, refuge seeker
• Dube (Desmond Dube) – Hotel staff, loyal to Paul
• General Bizimungu (Abel Mphala) – Rwandan army officer (distinct from the priest)

The film compresses real events and composites characters for narrative clarity, but the core story reflects Rusesabagina's documented heroism.