Behind the Politics of The Dictator

Anyone who goes to watch 'The Dictator' knows full well before watching it that it is just a parody of dictators in general, as we can easily relate it to actual political uprisings and recent events like the Arab Spring (the fall of Ben Ali, Gaddafi and Mubarak). In fact, [spoiler alert] those who have actually seen it would also realise that this film also mocks western democracy, especially in a surprising 'Occupy Wall Street' speech by the dictator, General Aladeen in a late scene. But let's go beyond its politics.

Fortunately, there's enough material in 'The Dictator' for us to see it as more than a political parody, as we can observe the adventures of General Aladeen in New York as an allegory to an individual's coming of age (i.e transition from childhood to adulthood). 

***

 In fact it is easy to draw parallels between dictatorship and childhood. At what other times in our lives that we think ourselves to be the centre of the universe - bestowed with all the rights to rule the world  - while mixing our desires and our needs. Ignorant of other people's needs and desires, the child enforces his own morality on others and assumes a royal treatment from his environment, especially from his parents. Interestingly, the role of parents in taking care of their 'special' child is also reflected in this film by the tireless effort of General Aladeen's uncle, Tamir, to fulfil the childlike desires ("I need hugs") of the dictator and ultimately enforcing his rule on the people of Wadiya. 

What the Dictator would soon realise is that he may not be so special after all - and this he would discover in two tragic facts [another spoiler alert]:

Replaceable. In a pretence to fool his enemies, Aladeen's uncle finds a body double of General Aladeen to replace him temporarily. However, Aladeen comes to realise that the real intention of his uncle is to replace him altogether with someone who looks exactly like Aladeen but who would obey all orders from the uncle. In other words, the dictator realises that the world is indifferent to his individuality. He could be killed and replaced by a body double - and the truth is - no one would really care!

Object of Hatred. Another reality check for Aladeen is when he accidentally walked into a gathering place of all the people he sent to be killed. What surprised him was that all these people were still alive and also filled with vengeance. This is an important lesson for the dictator, that every action begets a reaction, and that one must be ready to face the consequences of his actions. A child's naive assumption of the unfailing love and forgiveness from everyone around him is shattered once he discovers that he can also be hated by the people he loves.

***

Maybe as he has unknowingly mocked democracy and reverted back to his dictatorial ways, we can question whether the Dictator has really reached 'adulthood'. In fact, the guise of democracy in Wadiya at the end could also be seen as the guise of maturity in someone who is only really a grown-up child.


* Perhaps the giveaway clue to the allegory of 'The Dictator' to the coming of age is the scene he learns for the first time how to 'pleasure himself'. As in pubertal development, the moment one tastes this 'forbidden fruit', one would have also acquired the independence of the individual over biology (i.e one can fulfil his own biological urges). While this, in a way, may be good for the individual, it is bad for the species. No wonder it is morally abhorred.