Idi Amin film on its way

Judge J · (#1 (**permalink**))

I remember hearing about this film over a year ago in the New Nation. Forester Whittaker stars as Idid Amin.

I think its based on the book by Giles Foden. for more information about the film

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808762866/info

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0571195644

Kunjufu · (#2 (**permalink**))

I saw the trailer for the Film and I'm not sure this film is going to be a glowing recommedation of Idi...looks interesting tho

Kibibi · (#3 (**permalink**))

Hmmm@ the film, not sure if I will bother to see this.

No shortage ofcash to portray the 'negative' African figure. This is what the 4th or 5th film intwo years?confused3

Shemsi en Tehuti · (#4 (**permalink**))

Serious question here...should we as African people actually play these types of roles that are deeply regrettable and most of us wish we could erase or forget? Of course in this case, I am speaking about Forrest Whittaker.

It is how the ancientpeoples of Kemet, Kush, Nubia, andeven West Africa such as the Yoruba, would destroy documents, statues, and any records of what the people deemed disdainful of their own people. Thisdoes not mean to not talk about certain things, but people like Idi Amin shouldnot even be fortunate enough to have a positive memory about him. I can remember after the reign of Pharaoh Akhenaten in Kemet, he was only allowed to be referred to as "The Fallen One", or other like names because of his utterly repugnant years of regency. No one even knew about an Akhenatenin the last 3000 years until Amarna was accidentally found in 1887.

Perhaps this should be an unwritten policy amongst African people today. When you think about it, it may have contributed to why these ancient African civilizations endured for millenia until they forgot who they were. I think focusing on these negative historical characters actually deviates attention from actually knowing ourselves as a people. At the same time, I am sure Forest Whittaker will be nominated for an Oscar since he highlighting a particular African role thatEuropeans love to see...that is when Africans kill each other and perpetuate their own dissolution.

Vubundada_Kandaba · (#5 (**permalink**))

Shemsi en Tehuti wrote:

Quote:

Serious question here...should we as African people actually play these types of roles that are deeply regrettable and most of us wish we could erase or forget? Of course in this case, I am speaking about Forrest Whittaker.

It is how the ancientpeoples of Kemet, Kush, Nubia, andeven West Africa such as the Yoruba, would destroy documents, statues, and any records of what the people deemed disdainful of their own people. Thisdoes not mean to not talk about certain things, but people like Idi Amin shouldnot even be fortunate enough to have a positive memory about him. I can remember after the reign of Pharaoh Akhenaten in Kemet, he was only allowed to be referred to as "The Fallen One", or other like names because of his utterly repugnant years of regency. No one even knew about an Akhenatenin the last 3000 years until Amarna was accidentally found in 1887.

Perhaps this should be an unwritten policy amongst African people today. When you think about it, it may have contributed to why these ancient African civilizations endured for millenia until they forgot who they were. I think focusing on these negative historical characters actually deviates attention from actually knowing ourselves as a people. At the same time, I am sure Forest Whittaker will be nominated for an Oscar since he highlighting a particular African role thatEuropeans love to see...that is when Africans kill each other and perpetuate their own dissolution.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just to highlight some points here. As evil and cruel as Amin was and protrayed, there are even worse than him. The president Amin succeeded Milton Obote was far more worse than Amin. Dr. Obote killed many people; more people than Amin, except that he Obote did it silently without attracting attention to himself.

If Amin had kept a low profile instead of instigating the British and crowning himself King of Africa and Scotland, I don't think there would be any negative potrayal of him. Saw the movie back in Africa and some of the things he was alleged of doing were not really correct. Yes he was crazy and a nutcase.

Shemsi en Tehuti · (#6 (**permalink**))

Vubundada_Kandaba wrote:

Quote:

Just to highlight some points here. As evil and cruel as Amin was and protrayed, there are even worse than him. The president Amin succeeded Milton Obote was far more worse than Amin. Dr. Obote killed many people; more people than Amin, except that he Obote did it silently without attracting attention to himself.

If Amin had kept a low profile instead of instigating the British and crowning himself King of Africa and Scotland, I don't think there would be any negative potrayal of him. Saw the movie back in Africa and some of the things he was alleged of doing were not really correct. Yes he was crazy and a nutcase.

Do you not think it is our job as self-determined Pan-Africanists to highlight even the atrocities that do not necessarily grab the attention of the West? I think we shouldn't give a flying fug about where the West's attention is directed, because theirs is always directed at their own interests. When it comes to erasing these folks from our history, I meant even those like Obote as well. I wasn't singling our Amin, because you are right that there were and still are those far worse IMO. I only mean in general, should we not even give significant attention to these things?

Judge J · (#7 (**permalink**))

dam ive got some serious reading to do. I don't really know anything about idi amin to be honest except that he kicked the asians out og uganda, coulkd anyone recommend any sources wto aid me?

also do the negatives about him outweigh the positives

Incognito · (#8 (**permalink**))

Forest Whittaker...interesting choice...gonna need a good job by the make up artists to make him look a deep purple

Hrunopi · (#9 (**permalink**))

Another movie about Idi Amin?

Who's directing/producing/screenwriting?

That'll help you make up your mind about things real quick...

Kunjufu · (#10 (**permalink**))

Incognito wrote:

Quote:

Forest Whittaker...interesting choice...gonna need a good job by the make up artists to make him look a deep purple

Incognito: I've seen the trailer believe me he looks like the man....

However what will be interesting is if these filmmakers include the obvious facts, like Amin was actually a sargeant in the Army formed by the British...that he was put in power by the British even tho they knew he was serious unqualified to run the country.. I wonder if they will also include the obvious facts that Isreal and the UK supplied him with arms before and during his atrosities that helped keep him in power...and I really wonder if the filmaker will include the fact that he learnt his barbarity with British he was known for BEFORE they installed him as leader..

Prince Hakeem · (#11 (**permalink**))

The film looks quite interesting.

I know during his reign there were unsubstantiated rumours that he was into cannibalism....I'd be surprised if the film doesn't exploit THAT.....

P.S. - Oh did anyone notice our guy David 'Shoot the Messenger' Oyelowo is in it?

safetyblitz · (#12 (**permalink**))

Vubundada_Kandaba wrote:

Quote:

Shemsi en Tehuti wrote:

Quote:

Serious question here...should we as African people actually play these types of roles that are deeply regrettable and most of us wish we could erase or forget? Of course in this case, I am speaking about Forrest Whittaker.

It is how the ancientpeoples of Kemet, Kush, Nubia, andeven West Africa such as the Yoruba, would destroy documents, statues, and any records of what the people deemed disdainful of their own people. Thisdoes not mean to not talk about certain things, but people like Idi Amin shouldnot even be fortunate enough to have a positive memory about him. I can remember after the reign of Pharaoh Akhenaten in Kemet, he was only allowed to be referred to as "The Fallen One", or other like names because of his utterly repugnant years of regency. No one even knew about an Akhenatenin the last 3000 years until Amarna was accidentally found in 1887.

Perhaps this should be an unwritten policy amongst African people today. When you think about it, it may have contributed to why these ancient African civilizations endured for millenia until they forgot who they were. I think focusing on these negative historical characters actually deviates attention from actually knowing ourselves as a people. At the same time, I am sure Forest Whittaker will be nominated for an Oscar since he highlighting a particular African role thatEuropeans love to see...that is when Africans kill each other and perpetuate their own dissolution.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just to highlight some points here. As evil and cruel as Amin was and protrayed, there are even worse than him. The president Amin succeeded Milton Obote was far more worse than Amin. Dr. Obote killed many people; more people than Amin, except that he Obote did it silently without attracting attention to himself.

If Amin had kept a low profile instead of instigating the British and crowning himself King of Africa and Scotland, I don't think there would be any negative potrayal of him. Saw the movie back in Africa and some of the things he was alleged of doing were not really correct. Yes he was crazy and a nutcase.

Now see THIS is why I came to this site initially to learn things like this a Continental view of Amin. Here he is portrayed as evil incarnate in Africa and it is hard pressed to find something here well for me to find something that says other wise.

What other light do you have to shed on Idi?