Like it or not, there's an incredibly strong media bias in the United States. More often than not, the public's awareness of world events is usually limited to what CNN or other media outlets deem important enough to cover. In 1994, an incredibly disturbing tragedy almost completely few under the radar of the American public, as nearly one million Tutsi people were murdered in their native land of Rwanda by the rival Hutu people. Hutu hatred was spread by vicious propaganda, most notably in the form of a local radio station (how's that for media bias?). Violence escalated while corpses lined the streets---and as the murders took place, most of the foreign powers-that-be simply ignored it entirely. Even when confronted with the issue, American authority figures danced around the issue, twisting definitions and offering convenient excuses to justify indifference.

Still, I wasn't much better: 1994 found me blindly navigating high school hallways, worrying more about myself than important world issues. Though I probably couldn't have done an awful lot as a 15 year-old, my indifference towards the matter was rooted in the media's lack of coverage. According to MTV News (the only reliable source for teenagers!), Kurt Cobain's suicide was a more important issue than the death of a million African men, women and children. I wasn't alone: the majority of the American public were cheated out of their right to know about the Rwandan genocide. Even if the public couldn't offer direct support, simply being aware of world events is better than twiddling one's thumbs in the dark.

Luckily, the story of the Rwandans has been gaining ground during the past decade, thanks in part to the efforts of survivors, aid workers...and yes, filmmakers. A handful have gradually made their way to theaters and DVD, including the harrowing PBS documentary Ghosts of Rwanda and Shake Hands With the Devil, an autobiographical film about UN General Romeo Dallaire's experience during and after the genocide. Even lesser-known films like Nick Hughes' 100 Days (2001) and Michael Caton-Jones' Shooting Dogs (2005) have increased the public's awareness. Still, the most widely recognized film thus far has been 2004's Academy Award-nominated Hotel Rwanda, the story of a heroic Rwandan hotel manager who managed to save the lives of more than 1,200 Tutsi refugees. Raoul Peck's Sometimes in April (2005) takes it one step further, blending a more personal story with a broader portrait of the massacre---but it still manages to walk the line very carefully, even though it makes a few minor mistakes during its 140-minute running time.

The plot of Sometimes In April centers around Augustin and Honore Muganza (Idris Elba from and Oris Erhuero, respectively), two Hutu brothers whose dramatically different levels of involvement in the conflict changed their lives. Peck also adds an interesting layer to the story in the conflict of Augustin and his wife's interracial marriage, though the film's true focus lies in the collapse of Rwanda around its central characters. Things get ugly in a heartbeat, and the dramatic pace of the events that follow show a stark contrast to the film's deliberately-paced introduction. Similar to Hotel Rwanda, we do get a glimpse at what's going on in the U.S. and elsewhere while the events are taking place. The film's harsh criticism of American authority figures is certainly warranted---though supporting characters like Prudence Bushnell (Debra Winger) remind viewers that some tried to help---but this criticism will undoubtedly turn off defensive viewers. To call the film "Anti-American" would be unfair, though: it certainly won't make you proud of the powers that used-to-be, but that's the point. The neglect showed by most American leaders was nearly as sickening as the genocide itself.

The film's solid structure and strong visuals are a potent combination, but it's still not the definitive picture. Sometimes In April has a habit of painting in broad strokes, often glossing over key issues that have yet to be deeply explored in mainstram film. Like in Hotel Rwanda, we sometimes see things from the Hutu and Tutsi point of view, but the disturbing influence of the radio-broadcast propaganda is never fully addressed. There's also the lack of attention given to the U.N.'s limited peacekeeping efforts, though it's already been covered nicely in Shake Hands With the Devil. The impact of a truly multi-faceted story---one that shows us every layer of what went on----is missing here, though Sometimes In April manages to come close in some respects. In its defense, this film has a number of other highlights, including an excellent amount of historical detail to keep the viewer informed. There's also a strong emotional balance created by the personal story and the cold, brutal murders that took place. It's one of the better films about the genocide you're likely to see---and while not as deeply affecting as a documentary, it's a well-made effort that deserves a wider audience.

Though it wasn't heavily advertised, HBO has recently released Sometimes In April in a solid DVD package that suits the film well. The technical presentation is undoubtedly the disc's highlight, but a pleasing assortment of quality bonus material helps this release stand out from the crowd. It's one of the most well-rounded film efforts dealing with the Rwandan genocide, and a fine starting point for those unfamiliar with it. With that said, let's see how this disc stacks up, shall we?

While I didn't find the menu designs (above) or packaging style to be overly innovative, the simple and elegant nature of both gets the job done nicely. The 140-minute film has been divided neatly into 20 chapters, with a layer change detected right near the 70-minute mark. This single-disc release is housed in a standard black keepcase, and a one-sided chapter index has also been included.

There's a small but mighty assortment of bonus features here, starting off with a feature-length Audio Commentary with writer/director Raoul Peck. He's not alone here, as this interview-style session is conducted by National Public Radio film critic Elvis Mitchell---a wise move, as solo commentaries are rarely able to stand on their own two feet. Recorded on January 12, 2005, this is a laid-back but informative session: Mitchell is a big fan of the film, but he doesn't keep him from posing honest, objective questions. Though Peck is a little hard to understand at times, his comments and observations are interesting and poignant. It certainly favors historical detail and reflection over the film's more technical aspects---but it's an entirely appropriate choice, given the circumstances.

Moving on, there's also a relatively brief Behind the Scenes Featurette (14 minutes, above left) that features words from the cast and crew. There's some wonderful images captured here that weren't in the film, and the production is thankfully fluff-free. The next supplement is a highly informative Timeline that covers the 100-day genocide in great detail---for those unfamiliar with the exact details, the objective information presented here will be invaluable. Last but not least, there's a modest Photo Gallery (above right); like the featurette, it contains a handful of memorable images that words can't accurately describe. Overall, it's a satisfying mix of extras that complements the film well.

Though it's not quite as affecting as Ghosts of Rwanda or Shake Hands with the Devil, Raoul Peck's Sometimes in April does an excellent job combining the scope of the genocide with a captivating human interest story. It may not be as crowd-pleasing as the slightly overcooked Hotel Rwanda, but the film's atmosphere is strong enough to grab your attention and hold it firmly. Though the impact may lessen slightly after multiple viewings, the solid assortment of bonus features help make this one a keeper. The film is a great starting point for anyone unfamiliar with the 1994 genocide, but the disc is well-rounded enough to conisider Sometimes in April a solid blind buy. Recommended.