General Idi Amin Dada

In the early 1970s, Barbet Schroeder asked Ugandan dictator Idi Amin if he could make a portrait with and about him. Much to his surprise, the vain Amin thought this was a great idea, and Schroeder got free rein to film the feared leader – but only under Amin’s own direction, of course. Amin determined which events the film crew could attend: a reenactment of an attack on the Golan Heights, and a swimming competition won by the great leader. An exceptional part of the film consists of recordings of a "consultation" with the council of ministers – in this context, consultation meant a tirade from the tyrant, who was concerned about Uganda's international image. And several weeks later, the Minister of Foreign Affairs responsible for improving that image was found dead in a river. Naturally, Amin thought he would be getting a propaganda film, but the editing and voice-over leave no doubt about the real nature of the superficially charming and witty former soldier. This version could only be shown after Amin’s death: while still alive, the Ugandan leader forced the removal of scenes and commentary he didn't like by holding all French nationals in Uganda hostage.