Notre-Dame du Nil

A simply beautifully shot, acted and directed movie. The next time someone asks you for a secret gem of a movie recommendation mention this one.

Great story-telling, exceptional cinematography. I can understand why this flick's rating is so low. Racial bigotry causes this shameful mislead. Notre-Dame du Nil is a true gem for being aware of Ruanda's and Africa's heartbreaking history. Telling the irrational and European-made hatred between African people, even they lived as neighbours for centuries. Atiq Rahimi artistically prepares a vivid and convincing atmosphere where audience's questions are answered by good acting and strong script. This movie is telling the sorrow and anguish of innocents. While ironically this restores our faith in humanity.

The movie has a touching story that unravels slowly across multiple chapters. Why does it even has chapters? Why is the film turns black and white on two occasions for about 90 seconds each time? This comes over as unnecessary artistic quirks that only serve the purpose to remind, that it is a festival movie. The cinematography otherwise is superb, with stunning shots of nature.

When will the hate propaganda Stop! You can poke, lie and attack But the truth is self evident! Not convinced then Read the book Because the World should see the degradation of Everyone's War!

I admitt, from the first scenes , my thoughts were about the Rwandian massacre of 1993.

The film reminds its root. A lie of a young girl , covering a mistake sustained by nationalism and selfishness, giving birth to hate in terrible forms.

The story of a Catholic institute, few girls, myths, games, love stories and discipline, friendship and the fall of innocence.

Its virtues - the profound honesty, the universality of story, because the hate has not citizenship and a powerful warning about a moment changing, in radical manner, the life of a community, the life of a nation.

Few scenes defines it, maybe, the more tribble being the talk between priest and director of institut, the most touching, the obsession for tutsi past of the venerable Frenchman.

More than a well crafted film. First, a powerful warning.