Beautifully Broken

- -

In just 24 hours,

more than a quarter of a million people

have fled the terror of Rwanda.

-We're never going to make it. -We will.

Two thousand are dying each day.

More than one death every minute.

This is the bloodiest civil war in 20 years.

Why are they doing this?

Stay calm, we'll be okay.

The Rwandan killing fields

are a bloodbath of humanity.

-Get out of here! -Everybody, get out!

The death toll has risen

to half a million deaths.

Terrified Rwandans are fleeing in every direction.

Get down!

The madness and horror

is beyond comprehension.

-Come! Get out! Get out. No!

No man knows

how or when his test will come

nor how far he will go to protect those he loves.

For me, my story begins in Rwanda,

before the times of trouble.

It is the place of my birth.

The home of my family, and the country that I love.

I am William Mwizerwa.

I am a son, a husband and a father.

I am also a supervisor

at Rwandan National Coffee Company,

working like any other father to provide for his family.

But I had no way of knowing the length

to which I would be tested to protect my family.

Yet my story is not so different from others

who endure hardships or suffer pain.

We all have our own journey,

facing moments of decision that echo throughout our years.

And my story would not be complete

without sharing the stories of two other families

who each faced their own struggles.

Fathers, fighting to protect their families

in ways they could never have imagined.

And their lives flow into mine

like the rivers move through Rwanda.

They're every heartbeat etched into the stones of my path.

-William. -

Always last to leave.

Augustine.

Wish I could just walk across the compound

to my home, like you.

But if you lived here you would not stop working.

- -That may be true.

Daddy, Mommy has dinner ready.

Give my best to Josephine.

And mine to Ebraille and Aimee.

Okay, so how was school today?

- Fine. - What did you do?

Hostilities began when forces struck

President Habyarimana's plane with a surface to air rocket

as it landed in Kigali.

Unconfirmed early reports

claimed all on board were killed,

including Burundi's President Ntaryamira...

With violence and civil unrest in the streets,

citizens are urged to stay in their homes.

I know last weekend was a holiday,

but business doesn't stop 'cause he wants to go out of town.

I need those numbers.

-I know he'll want overtime. -

- -

Look, he's young and single.

The violence in Rwanda continues...

That's fine, that's fine. Just tell him to get it done.

...government has created a refugee situation.

What in the world?

No, no, I'm not talking to you, I'm home.

Look, I gotta go.

I just heard about the president.

His plan crashed. There's been gunfire.

Yes, we need to stay in the house.

We'll be safe.

-Where's Aimee? -She's inside.

Hey, everybody, I'm sorry I'm late. Hey.

Hi, hi, hi.

Hi, hi.

Sorry, Dad.

Sorry, honey.

Hi, birthday girl.

-Coming through. -Okay. Oh, my gosh.

Honey, you have outdone yourself again.

Aw.

Good grief, sis, is it her birthday or her wedding?

Are we gonna eat that or she's gonna ride it?

- -Wait, wait, wait.

Wait, not yet. Hang on.

Everybody get your cameras ready.

She's gonna be three by the time you light it.

Hush, hush.

Okay.

Okay, ready sweetie? On three, okay?

One, two, three.

The reports maintain that Kigali streets

have been overrun with conflicts between government troops

and the militia.

Augustine. -William.

We are barricaded in the house.

We hear gunfire everywhere. What's going on over there?

We are fine here.

You know, we have the guards, we have the walls.

But our truck drivers,

they have reported militia going door-to-door.

Is there any way you can get back to the coffee compound?

You'll be safe here.

William?

William? Are you there?

William?

It's Hans.

Hans, thank goodness it's you.

I had to come before we leave.

Port relief decided to pull us out.

What? Evacuating?

-It is that bad? -I'm afraid so.

Militia soldiers are going door-to-door.

A man in your position will be in danger.

You have to get your family out now.

Aimee!

I believe we can make it to the coffee compound.

Good, you'll be safe there.

But watch out for militia as you go.

You've been a good neighbor and a great friend.

I will miss you. God be with you.

And you as well.

Let's go.

Don't forget this one, Pop.

When is she gonna ever play with all this stuff?

Oh, she won't.

But I don't think that's the point.

Our baby became a toddler today.

I was so proud today... of her.

Of us.

Me too.

This birthday has one more surprise.

Baby, that's perfect.

Oh.

-We're never going to make it. -We will.

What's going on up there?

Get out! Get out, get down, come on!

This is madness. Why are they doing this?

-Stay calm. We'll be okay. -Look!

Aimee, get down. Close your eyes.

-Get out of here. -Stop!

Everybody get out of the car!

Get out! Come! Get out!

Get out of the car!

Aimee, get out of the car!

Get down!

Come! Get out, come!

If you don't I will kill you.

Come! Get out!

My dress! Come, come on!

No, my dress!

Listen, you shut up and you be still!

Down!

-It's okay. - Shut up!

Close your eyes, darling.

Mugenzi.

Come in for dinner.

There were rumors at the market again today

about the militia.

The answer to my question is not in that bowl, Mugenzi.

Keza,

you know I have no choice but to join them.

For a fight that isn't ours.

The Tutsis that we know are like us, Hutus,

good, hardworking people.

And my husband is not a fighter.

He's a farmer.

You belong here with me and Umuhoza.

You're right.

I am not a fighter.

But how can I protect you from their machetes