Documentaries possess a unique emotional resonance, exploring profound subjects that encourage self-reflection. They reveal harsh political realities, as exemplified by “General Idi Amin Dada,” directed by Barbet Schroeder. This film offers a chilling glimpse into Amin Dada’s tyrannical rule in Uganda, showcasing his complex persona. Despite initial censorship, Schroeder’s work highlights the disturbing nature of power, ultimately presenting Amin Dada as both captivating and ominous. The film remains influential yet has not received a Blu-ray release, an oversight for its significance.
The Emotional Impact of Documentaries
While documentaries may differ significantly in structure from fictional narratives, their emotional depth can be profoundly impactful. They delve into intimate subjects that resonate deeply, prompting us to reflect on our connections with the world around us.
Unveiling Political Realities through Film
Film has long held a fascination with political themes, and the reverse is equally true. Documentaries can unmask the true essence of power, showcasing the political landscape’s cynicism, brutality, and clientelism like a stark X-ray. A prime example of this is the remarkable documentary “General Idi Amin Dada,” directed by Barbet Schroeder.
In 1971, Uganda witnessed a coup that led to the ousting of President Milton Obote, paving the way for General Idi Amin Dada’s tyrannical eight-year rule, which resulted in over 300,000 deaths.
“General Idi Amin Dada” stands out as a compelling self-portrait created at the behest of the dictator himself. Barbet Schroeder aimed to explore the nature of evil, expressing his thoughts in April 2015 during a screening organized by the Swiss Cinematheque. Amin Dada, intrigued by the project and influenced by Hitler’s propaganda film “The Triumph of the Will,” granted Schroeder complete creative freedom, seeing him as a modern-day Leni Riefenstahl. This unique access allowed the dictator to present himself as both charming and menacing.
“When I consider his numerous victims, I find solace!” remarked Barbet Schroeder, reflecting on the unsettling nature of the film. He emphasized the rarity of gaining such intimate insight into a dictator, noting that the film’s success stemmed from Amin Dada’s innocence, despite the discomfort it caused him.
Upon the documentary’s release, Idi Amin expressed dissatisfaction and threatened to retaliate against 150 French nationals in Uganda unless Barbet Schroeder made specific cuts. Ultimately, the filmmaker acquiesced, resulting in three edits totaling 2 minutes and 21 seconds. The first cut involved a scene of public execution and a voiceover revealing Amin Dada’s regime’s involvement in numerous disappearances. Amin Dada claimed there were no political prisoners in Uganda and that the missing individuals were merely hiding in London. Following Amin Dada’s fall in April 1979, Schroeder restored the omitted footage.
Without casting judgment, “General Idi Amin Dada” is an extraordinary documentary, largely due to Amin Dada’s captivating presence. He emerges as a hallucinatory figure, a tragic Ubu Roi, even performing an accordion tune to accompany this striking self-portrait.
Included in a DVD box set of Barbet Schroeder’s works released by Carlotta in 2007, “General Idi Amin Dada: Self-Portrait” has yet to be honored with a Blu-ray release, which feels like a grave injustice for such a significant film.