Popularly known as the butcher of uganda, he is considered one of the cruellest despots in world history. May, 2019 amin s brutal reign has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and dramatic films, including ghosts of kampala, the last king of scotland, and general idi amin dada. A self portrait barbet schroeder 1974 barbet schroeders 1974 documentary general idi amin dada. Many are familiar with the portrayal of idi amin by forest whitaker in the 2006 film the last king of scotland, a venture that effectively conveyed the brutal dictator. Three years into a murderous regime that would be responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of ugandans, amin prepared a triumphal greeting for the filmmakers, staging rallies, military maneuvers, and cheery displays. A selfportrait is the 1974 documentary film by barbet schroeder.
Made with the full support and participation of the infamous dictator, general idi amin dada provides a candid and disturbing portrait of one of the 20th centurys most notorious figures. A selfportrait is a landmark in the art of documentary and an. On the surface, dada is pretty uneventful, as schroeder. Autoportrait is a 1974 documentary film by french director barbet schroeder with. Exchange receive your entire order amount as fandango credits that never expires saved to your active fandango vip account. When asked about this telegram, amin simply laughs and doesnt bring it up again. Although general idi amin dada a self portrait is not the most accessible documentary, it is an amazing piece of history and a great accomplishment in the realm of cinema verite. I see this documentary as being a compliment to the wonderful book written by idi amins top cabinet member henry kyemba, state of blood. Ap ugandan president idi amin is seen during the organization of african unity, oau, conference in. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see a list of open tasks.
In the 1940s amin was recruited by a british colonial army officer. Amin even takes schroeder on a boat ride along the nile, where he seems to think hes communicating directly with the elephants and crocodiles. Africans, atrocities, idi amin dada henry kissinger 2 by rmm4c. Schroeder, who is known for such films as bar fly and single white female, began his filmmaking career making documneteries. Feb, 2005 general idi amin dada in 1974, barbet schroeder went to uganda to make a film about idi amin, the countrys ruthless, charismatic dictator. Idi amin, military officer and president 197179 of uganda whose regime was noted for the sheer scale of its brutality, earning him the nickname the butcher of uganda. My father idi amin dada always spoke about having twins in israel from an israeli mother. A selfportrait is a landmark in the art of documentary and an appalling study of egotism in power. Amins brutal reign has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and dramatic films, including ghosts of kampala, the last king of scotland, and general idi amin dada. A self portrait is a landmark in the art of documentary and an appalling study of egotism in power. A selfportrait follows amin through rallies, military maneuvers, and other displays of ugandan might and pride, all of which were planned especially for the cameras. Three years into a murderous regime that would be responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of ugandans, amin prepared a triumphal greeting for the filmmakers, staging rallies, military maneuvers, and cheery displays of national pride, and.
Famous for the wrong reasons peels back the layers of this controversial ugandan leader with insights from those who knew him best when amin seized power following a military coup in 1971, the. The picture looks much better than ever, and certainly better than the blowup 35mm prints that circulated forty years ago. Anyone curious about the true nature of this simultaneously whimsical and murderous man should definitely check it out. Enjoy unlimited plays in our curated collection for kids.
Amin joined the british colonial regiment, the kings african rifles in 1946, serving in somalia. Amin promised a return to civilian government in five years. Idi amin rants and raves incoherently and demands to be the center of all attention while taking his country down a road to ruin. Knowing how ruthless and psychotic general idi amin dada is makes schroeders documentary all the more compelling. This is africa in 1973, where uganda has been converted into the idi amin reality show and where a minion in disfavor might be fed to the crocodiles. This article is within the scope of wikiproject film. He came to power following a coup and was eventually forced out of office. Log in to your account to automatically apply your fandango credit to your next purchase. Also sign me up for fanmail to get updates on all things movies.
A selfportrait is a new scan from the 16mm ektachrome original. Amins telegram to the tanzanian president remarks that amin loves the president so much that he would marry him if he had been a woman. Amin was born in koboko to a kakwa father and lugbara mother. In 1974, barbet schroeder went to uganda to make a film about idi amin, the. Popularly known as the butcher of uganda, he is considered one of the cruelest despots in african history. A thoughtful portrait of a multifaceted monster, idi amin. The play goes on for about a minute, consisting of a brief comedy set and a scene where the white tribe ugandan actors in whiteface are chased off by the black tribe. Others believe he is the truest embodiment of evil. A documentary on the military dictator of africas uganda. The documentary blog general idi amin dada a self portrait. Often considered one of the more bizarre dictators of the world, amin was seen as a curiosity within the thennormal binary of capitalist. In various extras schroeder laments his technical inadequacy, but we see no evidence of that. Autoportrait is a 1974 documentary film by french director barbet schroeder with english dialogue. This article is within the scope of wikiproject france, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of france on wikipedia.
Start this article has been rated as startclass on the projects. Idi amin dada, uganda military general, june 1, 1971. The film depicts amin at the height of his power as the ruler of uganda. Amin promised a return to civilian government in five years, but. Famous for the wrong reasons top documentary films. I dont know their names, and i dont want to hurt their privacy, but id want to meet them. Idi amin was the most flamboyant of a group of african dictators i covered during that turbulent period. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see lists of open tasks and regional and topical task forces. It was made with the support and participation of its subject, the ugandan dictator idi amin. The document kcrw mashes together the worlds of documentary.
It follows amin closely in a series of formal and informal settings, combined with. In 1974, schroeder struck a deal with a television network who was making onehour shows about heads of state around the world. A self portrait dionysus67 thoroughly original in its inception and disarmingly elegant in execution, this is immanent critque at its best, with amin dada deconstructing himself, his cabinet and the tragic figures of toy soldiers waiting to be butchered. General idi amin dada in 1974, barbet schroeder went to uganda to make a film about idi amin, the countrys ruthless, charismatic dictator. In 1971, the small african nation of uganda was taken over by self styled dictator general idi amin dada, beginning an. A selfportrait is a landmark in the art of documentary and an appalling study of.
A self portrait is a 1974 documentary film by french director barbet schroeder. General idi amin dada the current the criterion collection. The criterion collections bluray of general idi amin dada. Idi amins coup was widely welcomed, as there was hope that the country would finally be unified. As a documentary portrait in its own right, idi amin dada is an uneven and occasionally rambling affair a cabinet meeting is allowed to play out past when the point of the scene has been made, and a particularly long interview is broken up by sometimes decorative footage such as bats taking flight, although maybe im missing some clever. A self portrait is an extended character study of its subject. Eventually, amin held the rank of major general in the postcolonial. Fandango fanalert sign up for a fanalert and be the first to know when tickets and other exclusives are available in your area. To set parental controls, please click here to exit, go to the drop down menu on the top right corner and select exit kanopy kids. Idi amin does not appear in the play or appear to be watching it, the narrator doesnt clue the viewer in as to what the plays about, and there is no translation upon the screen. Several western nations, including britain, who feared the spread of communism, were also relieved at obotes overthrow. A notorious dictator demands a recut of the documentary about him or.
Furthermore, he forcefully attained for himself honorary doctorate of law from makerere university and declared himself as cbe or conqueror of the british empire. A self portrait yify yts ag, yts am yify yts movie general idi amin dada. The ugandan dictator dominates a swimming competition, then discusses his plans to prop up the ailing british economy. In 1974, barbet schroeder went to uganda to make a film about idi amin, the countrys ruthless, charismatic dictator.
Some viewed him as an instantly relatable man of the people. Idi amin was born in the 1920s in the west nile province. It follows amin closely in a series of formal and informal settings, combined with several short interviews in which amin expounds his unconventional theories of politics, economics, and international relations. Autoportrait is a 1974 documentary about the infamous ugandan dictator idi amin, whose reign from 1971 to 1979 led to the death of hundred of thousands of ugandans. Get youtube premium get youtube tv best of youtube music sports gaming. Emperor bokassa, another army sergeant gone wrong, in central africa.
Given a blank canvas, amin can only create a selfportrait that is of a brutal and ugly monster yearning to be loved, painted devilish red and dripping with the blood of the innocent. Idi amin crossed it long before the film starts, as his reign has led to the deaths of thousands, many of them executed under. To improve this article, please refer to the guidelines. An interview with director barbet schroeder on the release of general idi amin dada. Schroeder goes where amin says and when amin says, and after the film was finished, amin demanded a number of cuts that portrayed him in an. Dictator idi amin dada the ugly and funny duration. A self portrait is a mindbogglingly damaging look at one of the 20th centurys most reviled dictators when you consider it was made with the willing cooperation of its subject. A revelatory tugofwar between subject and filmmaker, general idi amin dada.
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