18th Anniversary Of Rwandan Genocide: 'Kinyarwanda' Aims To Commemorate And Educate

This weekend marked the 18^th anniversary of the beginning of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. It was also the start of the 100 Days of Commemoration, which lasts until July 7. The horrific massacre saw the murder of 800,000 men, women, and children.

As a means of honoring those who lost their lives and those who survived but continue to suffer, Snag Films is presenting Kinyarwanda, a beautifully written narrative.

Directed by Alrick Brown, the film was honored at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and is being used as a means of educating those who know little about the traumatic events. Kinyarwanda showcases the lives of people who have moved on from the conflict. There are elements of hope and humanity rather than politics and destruction. For the film's producer, Ishmael Nitihabose, the film was an opportunity to reflect on the state of Rwanda today and alter ill-informed views of the country. He told the International Business Times:

I'm among of the first of the generations changed by the post-reconstruction Rwanda. I think more Rwandans will emerge and alter West's view. We've all decided to work hard and change the picture of this country. We understand that if you mention Rwanda to West, people link the country to massacres and the killing of innocent people. So it is the responsibility of everyone in this country to overcome this incorrect understanding through each and everyone's means and capacity.

For more information on the film, please visit the offical site.