Daily Mail - Daily Mail Weekend Magazine
SECRETS, LIES AND GENOCIDE
An explosive new BBC drama explores the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 bloodbath
The Rwandan genocide that took place 24 years ago was one of the worst in modern history. It’s estimated that 800,000 people were killed over 100 days, as Tutsi rebels were slaughtered by supporters of the Hutu government, who claimed to be ‘weeding out the cockroaches’. Men, women and children were felled by machetes, grenades and bullets in their homes and on the streets, even as they sought sanctuary in churches and schools. Mass graves are still being found to this day.
New eight-part drama Black Earth Rising, written, directed and produced by Emmywinner Hugo Blick – the creator of hit show The Honourable Woman – imagines how the aftermath haunts survivors today.
British actress Michaela Coel, who won a BAFTA for sitcom Chewing Gum, plays fictional Kate Ashby, who was rescued from Rwanda as a child. She was adopted by British international human rights lawyer Eve Ashby, a role taken by Dame Harriet
Walter of Downton Abbey fame. Now in her twenties, Kate is an investigator under international lawyer Michael Ennis, played by John Goodman.
When they take on a case at the International Criminal Court, prosecuting an African militia leader who fought to stop the genocide but is now accused of crimes against humanity in the Congo,
Kate begins to question whether she knows the truth about her past, wondering how much her mother hasn’t told her – and she wants to seek justice. London-born Michaela, 30, whose parents are Ghanaian, knew nothing of the genocide previously. ‘I was embarrassed by my lack of knowledge,’ she says. ‘But I’ve really tried to understand Kate. Her mum is her rock yet she needs to get answers from her.’
Harriet Walter, 67, is a convincing lawyer. ‘Eve plays by the book, but she’s personalised her work by adopting a child from the Rwandan conflict. She tried to armour Kate against the evil of her past with privilege and education. But all of this comes crashing down when Kate tries to kill herself.’
The bloodbath in Rwanda began after Hutu President Habyarimana died when his plane was shot down on 6 April, 1994. Hutu extremists blamed the Tutsi rebels of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) and began a campaign of slaughter. The nightmare ended when the RPF took control on 4 July. The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda has sentenced more than 60 people for their involvement, while nearly two million have stood before Rwandan community courts.
‘We’re familiar with 1994 but not what happened after,’ says Harriet Walter. ‘You’ll learn a hell of a lot with this show. It’ll really challenge you.’
Lisa Sewards Black Earth Rising, Monday, 9pm, BBC2.