The Idi Amin Dada Show

GENERAL IDI AMIN DADA : A SELF PORTRAIT

(France 1974) Directed by Barbet Schroeder

General Idi Amin Dada: A Self Portrait (French: Général Idi Amin Dada: Autoportrait) is a 1974 documentary film by French director Barbet Schroeder. The film depicts Ugandan dictator Idi Amin Dada at the height of his power as the ruler of Uganda. It is one of the greatest documentary ever shot and an absolute must-see for any film fan.

The film was made with total agreement and participation from Idi Amin, who saw the opportunity to direct himself in a propaganda film. This freedom gave the opportunity to Schroeder to capture "candid" moments of the dictator's daily routine that didn't go well with the dictator, once the film was finished. As per his agreement with Amin, Barbet Schroeder made two versions of his documentary : the first, an hour-long cut, was released in Uganda and delivered directly to Amin, who was apparently pleased with the result. The second version, released only outside Uganda, contained an additional half-hour.

According to Schroeder, Amin dispatched his agents in England  to watch the film and write down a full transcript of its contents. Amin soon sent a letter to Schroeder requesting additional cuts to the film, but Schroeder refused. In response, Amin rounded up almost 200 French citizens living in Uganda and confined them to a hotel surrounded by the Ugandan army, supplying them with Schroeder's home telephone number and explaining that their release was conditional on Schroeder's acquiescence. In the face of this dilemma, Schroeder made the requested cuts, replacing the 2½ minutes of excised footage with title cards crediting the gaps to Amin. On Amin's fall from power, Schroeder restored the missing material. Here it is.

Enjoy.