The scene you described from the movie "Hotel Rwanda" portrays Paul ordering his staff to erase the guest registry and remove the numbers from the hotel room doors after the departure of the Hutu lieutenant. While the specific motivations can vary, here are a few possible reasons behind Paul's actions:
- 1. Protection of the guests: Paul might erase the guest registry and remove room numbers to protect the identities of the hotel guests, particularly those who are Tutsis or individuals at risk. By doing so, he aims to prevent the Hutu authorities or militias from easily identifying specific individuals or their whereabouts, potentially shielding them from harm.
- 2. Avoidance of targeted attacks: Removing room numbers can make it more difficult for the perpetrators to locate and target specific individuals. It creates confusion and delays their ability to carry out any planned violence or targeted attacks against guests who might be perceived as a threat or belonging to a particular ethnic group.
- 3. Concealment of identities: Erasing the guest registry helps to hide the identities of the individuals who stayed at the hotel. This action can be seen as a protective measure to safeguard the guests' lives and avoid potential repercussions from the authorities or militias who may seek to harm them.
- 4. Preservation of plausible deniability: By removing any trace of guest information, Paul and his staff might be attempting to distance themselves from any potential liability or accusations of harboring or protecting individuals whom the authorities consider targets.
- 5. Maintenance of hotel operations: In an unstable and dangerous situation, erasing the guest registry and removing room numbers could be a strategy to maintain some semblance of normalcy within the hotel. It allows the staff to continue providing refuge to those in need without drawing undue attention or inviting interference from the authorities.
These reasons are fictionalized possibilities based on the context of the movie "Hotel Rwanda" and the circumstances depicted. The actual motivations behind such actions can vary depending on the specific historical events and the individuals involved.
