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Beyond the Gates (also known as Shooting Dogs) is based on a true story and tells the story of civil war in Rwanda in 1994. The disagreement between Tutsi and Hutu had been going on for hundreds of years and in 1994, Tutsi were in power. Suddenly, there is a coup and the tables are turned when the Rwandan leader is assassinated and the Hutu are again in power. Bloodshed begins with UN Peacekeepers there to monitor, only.

The film starts with Father Christopher (John Hurt) who has been in Rwanda so long, he has seen many skirmishes and takes this one calmly. His small church is part of a compound that includes a school where a teacher, Joe (Hugh Dancy) is popular. One of Joe’s students is Marie, a Tutsi (Claire-Hope Ashitey) who is a promising athlete and long distance runner. One of the men who work at the school is Francois, a Hutu (David Gyasi). Joe has a friend with the BBC, Rachel (Nicola Walker) a photo-journalist. Head of the French group of UN Peacekeepers is Capitaine (Dominique Horwitz.) 

At first, the fighting is far away, but soon people at the school compound can hear gun and mortar shots at night. Eventually, the school becomes a haven for displaced Tutsi. Joe and Father Christopher do dangerous runs to obtain medical supplies, but always, they manage to get through with the school truck. The word “genocide” isn’t used by government officials, but we can see that this is happening. Hutu simply want to wipe all Tutsi out. As fighting gets to the very gates of the compound, who is allowed to leave and who isn’t? Hard decisions must be made. Father Christopher has a solemn reserve while Joe is starting to crumble. They realize that one of their group has gone over to the other side.

Beyond the Gates begins slowly, but about halfway through gathers speed until the end. You can set your watch by what happens in the first half such as a birth sequence, not one but two perilous drives through enemy land with roadblocks and one character’s stubborn refusal to believe anything is wrong outside the gates. After we get through the predictable, come the unpredictables and this is what gives the film its edge. The Catholic Church gives comfort to the people, but the priest doubts his own faith. As Father Christopher dons his robes, there is a haunted look in his eyes. 

Acting is well done, especially Hugh Dancy as the young teacher who gets shaken to the core. When he witnesses something, he goes into shock right in front of you. Also, Dominique Horwitz as the French Capitaine who wants to act, but can’t and rigidly holds to his orders. David Gyasi as Francoise provides a key moment in the film and one that you don’t expect.

Beyond the Gates (re-release) certainly gives one food for thought. You can’t help but be reminded of a similar situation in Hotel Rwanda, but then there were many situations in this civil war when people attempted to help others. The DVD also gives ways you can become involved with Committees who assist War-Torn Communities and Uprooted People. I was hoping there was something beyond the first half of the film, and there certainly was. Beyond the Gates delivers.

Copyright 2007 Marie Asner
Submitted 9/13/07