General Idi Amin Dada (1974)
"Général Idi Amin Dada: Autoportrait" (original title)

A documentary on the military dictator of Africa's Uganda.

Director:

Barbet Schroeder

Writer:

Barbet Schroeder

Stars:

Idi Amin, Fidel Castro, Golda Meir

Cast

Cast overview:
Idi Amin	...	Himself

Storyline

Uganda's dictator, General Idi Amin Dada, accepts a foreign crew's request to interview and film him. He talks to the camera about his outreach to Arab nations, his goal of eradicating Israel, his views on economic policy, and his views of Nixon, Kissinger, and other world leaders. We also see him dressing down his ministers at a cabinet meeting (two weeks after this meeting, the foreign minister, whom Amin criticizes here, is murdered), supervising a war-game simulation of an invasion of Israel, visiting a village, and addressing a conclave of Ugandan physicians.

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Plot Keywords:

uganda | dictator | military | idi amin | africa | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Biography | War

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

France Switzerland

Language:

English Swahili French

Release Date:

30 August 1976 (USA)

Also Known As:

General Idi Amin Dada: A Self Portrait

Filming Locations:

Kampala, Uganda

Company Credits

Production Co:

Figaro Films, Mara Films, Television Recontre

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Idi Amin: I come from a very poor family. I wanted to tell you this.

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Connections

Edited into The Last King of Scotland (2006)

User Reviews

Idi Amin at work, rest, and play

This film is an expose of the life and times of Idi Amin, at a time when he was becoming increasingly notorious in the world. Filmed by a French movie crew, Amin probably saw this as a chance to score a public relations coup with the world, but he ends up being his own worst enemy. The film begins with a short segment about Uganda in general, the story of how Amin came to power in a coup in 1971, and how things had deteriorated in the country since the takeover. Following Amin around in his official duties and during his recreation time, the film captures the madman he was on film. The movie crew plays him absolutely straight; you can see his change in emotions from jovial to barely restrained rage.

Besides showing Amin at his worst, this film also tells the tale of everyday life in modern Africa, and shows how Ugandans tried to make the best a miserable situation. One interesting part of the movie is that it shows how the old and new mix in Africa; a group of tribal dancers performs at a military base with a modern jet fighter in the background, for example. Great scenery of the Nile and wildlife as well.

While Amin has been forgotten by many people today, this film is interesting as it shows him at the height of his power, and lays him bare as the madman he was. An interesting look at a crazed leader and how he lived.