Général Idi Amin Dada: Autoportrait (1974)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Barbet Schroeder

Writer:

Barbet Schroeder (writer)

Release Date:

30 August 1976 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary | Biography | War

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Dictator | Uganda | Idi Amin | Military | General

Cast

Idi Amin	...	Himself
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Fidel Castro	...	Himself (archive footage)
Golda Meir	...	Herself (archive footage)

Also Known As:

General Amin (UK)
General Idi Amin Dada (USA)
General Idi Amin Dada: A Self Portrait (USA)
No One Can Run Faster Than a Rifle Bullet

Runtime:

USA:90 min

Country:

France | Switzerland

Language:

English | Swahili | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Netherlands:12 | France:U | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:Btl

Filming Locations:

Kampala, Uganda

Company:

Figaro Films

Movie Connections:

Edited into Rise and Fall of Idi Amin (1981)

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.