A rare chance to see the real Idi Amin in this mind-boggling documentary about one of the twentieth century's most reviled dictators. If it were fiction it would be acclaimed as a comic masterpiece... but it is all true. With an ambition the size of Napoleon Idi Amin considered himself a major leader and revolutionary on the world stage. In reality his regime was amateurish disorganised and his maniacal command was at once both hilarious and bizarre. The film has a uniquely chilling tone as it is known that Amin put at least 300 000 people to death between 1971... and 1979. Through his anti-Semitic rages fetish for artillery and military power and the aggression that drifts through almost every speech this seemingly amiable thoroughly pompous despot attempts to transform himself into a figure of heroic proportions. Idi Amin gave himself the title: ""His Excellency President for Life Field Marshal Al Hadji Dr. Idi Amin VC DSO MC King of Scotland Lord of All the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Sea and Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in General and Uganda in Particular"". Amazingly General Idi Amin Dada: Autoportrait was made with the full support and participation of Amin himself. The Director Barbet Schroeder (Maitresse Barfly Single White Female) lets Amin do all the work and instead of the carefully managed PR piece Amin clearly hoped for we instead see a preening vain psychotic clown who aspires to be Africa's Hitler. [show more]
I had been meaning to watch this film for a while, but when I saw The Last King of Scotland I finally decided to get the DVD.
In respect to the other film, General Idi Amin Dada: Autoportrait is very interesting. Forest Whitaker obviously copied Amin's walk for instance, and perfectly. Though I thought he overworked the accent a bit.
But this film is also very worthy in its own right. It really is an "autoportrait" as the director allowed Amin to dictate what was and wasn't filmed. He chose, incidently, to film a mock invasion of the Golan Heights, wild life and a little swimming contest that he won. Amin also had certain critical comments removed in three edits before it could be shown - 150 French inhabitants of Uganda were rounded up as hostages.
So what we see in this film is the megalomaniac fantasies, and by their omision, insecurities, of a infamous dictator. He is funny and terrifying, tragic and charming.
This DVD also includes a booklet with three articles on the film and Amin: an interview with the director, an explanation of what Amin had removed from the film, and a psychologist's analysis of one particularly tense segment of the film. It is a good package and one that I would recommend to anyone interested in Uganda, African or World politics, documuntary film, or who "enjoyed" The Last King of Scotland.
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