Documentaries at their best will both educate you about something you didn’t know and subtly enlighten you about the overall human condition. I couldn’t find a more fitting description for that criteria than the heart-wrenching Earth Made of Glass which made its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival last night. It’s directed by documentary veteran Deborah Scranton (The War Tapes) who may not be as well known as some other heavy hitters in the documentary field, but stands proudly among their ranks as one of the most important documentary filmmakers to follow. This claim is proved by her powerful portrayal of the Rwandan genocide that happened in 1994, showcasing two stories in parallel that display both the politics and people affected by this atrocious tragedy.
The film opens with a quote by Ralph Waldo Emmerson “There is no den in the wide world to hide a rogue. Commit a crime, and the Earth is made of glass” which sets an eerie mood before landing on the beautiful African landscapes of Rwanda. There is peace for a moment, where you are allowed to take in the wondrous sight, but that is quickly shattered by the dark reality of the scene, as genocide survivor Jean Pierre Sagahutu stands on the road staring off into the distance. As a middle-aged woman approaches Jean-Pierre, he confronts her asking if she lives here and is from the area. He explains to her that his father was murdered down the road and that he is looking for clues to the crime. It’s been nearly fifteen years since most of Sagahutu’s family was brutally murdered in the genocide, and he continues to be haunted by the absence of details surrounding the death of his father.
This tragic search for answers is paralleled by the story of current Rwandan president Paul Kagame, who after releasing a report indicting French officials with involvement in the genocide, has his closest aide, Rose Kabuye, arrested by France on charges of terrorism. Kagame has a certain charm and charisma that immediately draws you in as he details the obvious crimes of the French government. It is a stern reminder that political events of this scale are never as simple as the media portrays them to be.
As both stories unfold in tandem, it’s clear that Scranton is an expert at controlling the narrative flow, allowing the audience to simmer in both the emotional resonance of Sagahutu’s personal journey to confront his father’s killer while contrasting the political narrative unfolding in Rwanda with Kagame. As the mystery and frustration of Jean-Pierre’s search unravels, he is forced to face his greatest fear and tackle the truth. It’s a moment hard to forget, as the unobtrusive lens of Scranton exposes the very core of the human condition in the face of unimaginable tragedy. Earth Made of Glass is a significant documentary that highlights the importance of understanding the truth behind a tragedy while reminding us there is still hope for the future if we can focus on one goal, sustaining and fostering peace.
9 out of 10
What do you think of Earth Made of Glass?