Sergey Kadinsky

Written Works

Looking at a globe in his nondescript Scotland home, young medical school graduate Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy) spun it. He dreamed of another home, and his finger landed on Uganda.
The year is 1970, and this small central African country is attempting to emerge with confidence from a century of foreign domination. Atop a concert stage in a small village, General Idi Amin Dada (Forrest Whittaker) speaks of this confidence to the residents, who in return offer their full support to the demagogue to seize power through a military coup.
The drumbeat of the stage was accompanied by the colorful pageantry of costumes and military uniforms, putting viewers into the same atmosphere of celebration as that felt by Garrigan.
Garrigan is a white face in the crowd, taken by Amin's message of empowerment and returns with him to the capital as his new medical advisor.

Amin's personality is brought to life in his charm, deception, paranoia, and ruthlessness. Seeking to be respected by the world, Amin bestows honorary titles upon himself, such as the "Conqueror of the British Empire," and "Lord of All the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Sea." The accent portrayed by Whittaker gives anyone who has the misfortune to stand in Amin's presence a reminder of who is in control. As an impressionable young doctor, Garrigan is easily persuaded that his position benefits all of Uganda, when in reality it serves only to further Amin's ambitions and quest for total power.

The film acts to educate Garrigan and the viewers to the powers of corruption and unchecked power. For his part, the doctor ignores warnings from the British ambassador to Uganda, who points to the unexplained disappearances of Amin's political opponents, and mass graves throughout the countryside. The film also points to Amin's eccentric behavior, and allegations of cannibalism. Amin is an emotional, but merciless character with no compassion for anyone but himself. While Garrigan values his position as Amin's personal physician, people around him describe him as "Amin's white monkey." Like Amin, Garrigan holds nationalist tendencies. When introduced to the British ambassador, he responds that he is "not an Englishman, but a Scot." Amin welcomes this attitude by wearing a kilt and playing the bagpipe before Garrigan.

Following the discovery of his personal betrayal of Amin, Garrigan is told of his coming execution. Surrounded by Amin and his henchmen, he realizes that he has been used, as Amin responds that it is not a dream. The dark surroundings, gunshots, flow of blood, and the roar of Amin's voice, reveal for all viewers the danger that Garrigan has put himself into.
The film is an adaptation of a novel by the same name written by Giles Foden. Having served as a journalist in Africa, Foden takes plenty of care in making the book historically accurate, researching the details of Amin's regime and interviewing those who knew him personally. The film serves as a lesson into how many third-world despots rise to power and maintain it. This film is a must-see for anyone who has an interest in politics and African history. It may also serve as a warning to students who study abroad in less-than-democratic environments- avoid those who promise you fame, because it may bring dangers and loss of freedom for the recipient.