It's difficult to know where to begin with a film like Ghosts of Rwanda (PBS, 2004); not only due to the cold, unflinching footage presented, but more so because it all really happened. Since last year marked the 10th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide---when nearly 1,000,000 native Tutsi people were brutally murdered in a matter of months----the public awareness of this event has dramatically increased. Recent films like Hotel Rwanda brought a human element to the horror, while more direct documentaries like Shake Hands With the Devil offered a more reflective tale of disappointment and regret.

While optimists might consider this recent increased awareness to be a perfect example of "better late than never", films like Ghosts of Rwanda are decidedly rooted in pessimism----and rightfully so. It's much more direct than Shake Hands With the Devil and Hotel Rwanda; though nearly identical to the former in structure and flow, it takes a slightly bolder stance by blatantly criticizing political leaders who casually ignored the tragedy as it unfolded.

Though my review for Shake Hands With the Devil compared it to Alan Resnais' Night and Fog---a narrative sketch of the Holocaust filmed some ten years after it concluded----Ghosts of Rwanda is a slightly closer relative to Resnais' classic documentary. While it's not always the main focus, there's a significant amount of graphic footage shot during and after the genocide that makes for an incredibly tough viewing experience. It's a guided tour of the most unspeakable murders you'll ever see: Tutsis, young and old, are piled high in the streets and empty buildings. Body parts are missing, clothes ripped off. Blood has dried and decay is setting in. Though I have a strong tolerance for violence seen in movies, it's an entirely different story when special effects and makeup aren't used. While certainly not for younger viewers, Ghosts of Rwanda is a must-see for everyone else.

As mentioned earlier, though, there's a large portion of the film that isn't focused on the graphic aftermath. The main focus of Ghosts is a linear account of the actual events---before and during the genocide---constructed of firsthand accounts and actual footage. There's also a generous amount of newer footage, consisting of interviews with survivors and those less directly involved; among others, we hear from General Dallaire, former Secretary of State Madeline Albright, former UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, UN aid workers and---perhaps the most chilling of all---some of the Hutus who committed the murders. The objective presentation is fluff-free: nowhere to be found are celebrity voice-overs or syrupy piano ballads. It's about as straightforward as you can ask for---and with a subject such as this, it makes for a powerful enough story on its own.

Originally released in June of 2004, the exact whereabouts of Ghosts of Rwanda are somewhat uncertain. Though Amazon has no inventory in stock, one source indicates that a re-release may appear soon (in the meantime, the "Buy" link above takes you to the official PBS Store). In any case, the film itself is truly the star of the show here---which is another was of saying the DVD is good, but not great. Paramount offers a passable technical presentation for Ghosts of Rwanda, but those who love bonus features will be sorely disappointed. Nonetheless, the film is always the key ingredient, and this film should be near the top of any documentary fan's list.

Seen above, the cover art-themed menu designs are basic but easy to navigate. This 115-minute film has been divided into 12 chapters, with no layer change detected during playback (it's most likely a single-layer disc). The packaging is also very basic, as this single-disc release is housed in a standard black keepcase with only a promotional insert included. No subtitles have been provided.

Unfortunately, no bonus features have been included on this disc---though the film's website (linked at the bottom) is filled with valuable information that complements the film well. Although the film certainly stands tall on its own, an audio commentary with the director---or at least an interview or essay---would have been most appreciated. It may be nice to know that we're supporting "quality PBS programming", but $30 for any bare-bones release is a tough sell.

If you're unfamiliar with the 1994 Rwandan genocide, Ghosts of Rwanda is an excellent introduction---but be cautioned that it's not for the squeamish. The graphic aftermath is tough to sit through, but the end product is powerful enough to be considered required viewing for any self-respecting citizen. Unfortunately, Paramount's DVD efforts aren't particularly strong here; in addition to a non-anamorphic video presentation, there's absolutely no bonus features to be found. The $30 asking price may be a bit steep, but Ghosts of Rwanda is still a worthy addition to any DVD library---you may not watch it very often, but you'll certainly be glad it's there. Recommended.