mad dictator

Rating: 8/10 (29 January 2007)

Accepting the white paternalistic idea that Africa is land with a population of stupid villagers under the spell of paranoid-charismatic dictator such as Amin Dada the movie depicts the story of an adventurous, idealistic and rather naughty Scottish doctor who achieves the distinction of being the confidante of Uganda's charismatic if deranged dictator.This position makes him vulnerable to British advances who want to use him as an agent to gain access to the dictator's inner circle.This plot is enlivened by the charismatic performance of the actor playing the role of the dictator- he is very impressive and convincing although I do not think that a human being with such behaviour is possible to encounter. I am not going to challenge accepted historical and journalistic sources about the late's dictators life although I find the depiction of his character rather extraordinary by my standards. Of course African standards of leadership are different from Balkan and even more from European ones. That is what the movie wants us to believe at least. As all the films about Africa it is a movie made by white people and their perspective is exemplified- being also made to be consumed by a white audience. But how can one form an opinion if he has not the native's view. Where can he get it though.