Last King of Scotland, The
It was supposed to be a wild adventure in a far-off country, but when a native young doctor arrives in 1970s Uganda hoping for fun, sun and to lend a helping hand - he finds himself instead on a shocking ride into the darkest realm on earth: the human heart. This is the story of The Last King of Scotland, a powerful thriller that reacreates on screen the world of Uganda under the mad dictarship of Idi Amin. Delftly mixing fact and fiction and starlingly resonant with todays world, the film features a tour de force performance from Forest Whitaker as Amin and carves two unforgettable portraits: one of a charismatic but psychopatic ruler who ravaged his country and the other, of a witness to history who finally finds the courage to make a stand.
It all begins as handsome Scottish physician Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy), fresh aout of med school, jets off to Uganda, looking for excitement, romance and the joy of helping a country that truly needs his medical skills. Soon after his arrival, Garrigan is called to the scene of a bizarre accident: Idi Amin, the countrys newly installed leader, has smashed his Maserati into a hapless cow. Boldly taking the chaotic situation under control, Garrigan impresses Amin as brazenly forthright. Already obsessed with Scottish history and culture, Amin takes an instant liking to Garrigan and soon offers him the unlikely job of becoming his personal physician.
Its an offer so incredible, the doctor cannot refuse and thus is started his odyssey into the inner circle of one of Africas most horrific reigns of terror. At first, Garrigan is seduced by Amin famously charming personality and ambitious plans for Uganda, not to mention the rulers passion for fast cars, beautiful women and glamorous parties. At time goes on, seduced by his own desire for power. Garrigan becomes the dictators confidante, consultant and right hand man, witnessing increasingly unsetting events - kidnappings, assassinations and unspeakable atrocities in whitch he himself may be complicit. Trapped in the moral abyss of Amin murderous finally dares to try to stop the insanity, he winds up in a desperate fight for survival.
Directed by
Kevin Macdonald
Cast
Forest Whitaker - Idi Amin
James McAvoy - Nicholas Garrigan
Kerry Washington - Kay Amin
Gillian Anderson - Sarah Merrit
Simon McBurney - Nigel Stone
David Oyelowo - Dr. Junju
Abby Mukiibi Nkaaga - Masanga
Adam Kotz - Dr. Merrit
Barbara Rafferty - Mrs. Garrigan
Production Co.
Channel Four Films
DNA Films
Slate Films
Cowboy Films
Tatfilms
Produced by
Andrew Macdonald
Allon Reich
Tessa Ross
Studios
Fox Searchlight Pictures
Writer
Jeremy Brock
Giles Foden
Music
Alex Heffes
Julian Kershaw
