The 600-The Soldier’s Story, a 2D Action Documentary which tells the amazing story of a group of 600 soldiers from the 3rd Battalion of the Rwandan Patriotic Army, RPA who were trapped in Kigali during Peace Talks, and became surrounded by over 10,000 Soldiers of the Hutu Power Government during the 1994 Rwandan Genocide against the Tutsi enjoyed global screening on MyMovies.Africa™ on Sunday July 4, 2021.
This was in commemoration of the 4th of July, in which Rwandans around the World, celebrate ‘Kwibohora’ – which is Kinyarwanda meaning for “to Release or Liberate oneself”, an annual Commemoration of the struggle for Liberation between 1990 to 1994, initiated by the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) and its military wing the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA).
Kwibohora, follows Kwibuka (“to Remember”) which is the official Commemoration reflecting on the 100 days, between April and July 1994, during which over 800,000 men, women and children, of the Tutsi and moderate Hutu, were slaughtered in a genocide that made headlines around the World.
The 114-minute film tells the story of a lesser known event of the brave 600 soldiers and seeks to not only honours self-sacrifice and courage, but also honours the memory of those who died during the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994.
“The 600: The Soldiers’ Story is an important and inspirational Film, that not only honours self-sacrifice and courage, but also honours the memory of those who died during the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994. It also makes a connection between the RPA soldiers, and the civilians they were trying to protect, in one of the most desperate military missions of all time, in stopping this Genocide. The 600 soldiers, surrounded and outnumbered by Government soldiers and Militias, rescued hundreds of civilians and began the counter-attack that restored order in Rwanda by 100 days” says its Hollywood Writer and Producer – Richard Hall.
The Action Docu-Film by Great Blue Production, was officially released in Rwanda July 4 2019 – the 25th official Anniversary of Rwanda’s Liberation Day, when the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) stopped the Genocide and Liberated the Country.
And two years later, Nairobi-based MyMovies.Africa™ organised a 24-hour Global Screening, via ZOOM, for Rwandese living in various Time Zones around the World.
“Since its Premiere, Rwanda TV (RTV) broadcasts the Kinyarwanda version of The 600 every Liberation Day in Rwanda only”, says Mike Strano – Co-Founder & Business + Regulatory Director.
“So, MyMovies.Africa™ wanted to Offer the same Tradition to Rwandese abroad. As such, our Software Developers have created an additional Online Screening module for our Service. Viewers simply Register for 1 of the 12 Screenings (like they would for a ZOOM Webinar), then Buy a Screening Ticket (which includes a FREE 7-Day Rental) and join the ZOOM with their Community (from the Link e-mailed to each Individual) on Liberation Day.
Private Screenings for Companies, Government, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Education Institutions, etc are also Available, upon Request.”
Internationally acclaimed, The 600 has won Best Documentary at the Winter Film Awards in New York City, Best Director for a Feature Documentary at the Golden State Film Festival and Best Feature at the Austria International Film Festival 2020.
It was Directed by Laurent Basset – a renowned Hollywood Cinematographer, and Executive Produced by Richard Hall, also from Hollywood, as well as Annette Uwizeye – a seasoned Kigali-based Filmmaker.
“We are grateful that the Producers have entrusted this very important piece of Rwandan history with MyMovies.Africa™, to make it available Worldwide in 190 Countries & Territories, in time for this Commemoration”, says Trushna Buddhdev-Patel – Co-Founder & Content Director.
