The Dictator

The Dictator

Year: 2009

Runtime: 84 mins

Language: Arabic

Director: Ihab Lamei

ComedyDrama

A darkly comedic political satire follows an iron‑fisted ruler who crushes dissent and inspires fear across his nation. The narrative unfolds through a series of encounters with his twin children, who grapple with the everyday hardships of ordinary citizens, until an unexpected violent twist upends their world.

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Timeline & Setting – The Dictator (2009)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Dictator (2009). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 2010s

Set in contemporary times with recognizable political institutions and media dynamics. The plot oscillates between international diplomacy at the UN and intimate, street-level scenes in a fictional African state in exile. The satire targets modern dictatorship within a familiar, real-world timeframe.

Location

New York City, Little Wadiya, Wadiya (fictional country in the Horn of Africa)

The primary action shifts between a modern New York City backdrop and the diasporic Wadiyan enclave in Manhattan. Key locations include the UN Headquarters, a dinner-table of exile communities in Little Wadiya, and the Death to Aladeen Restaurant. The settings juxtapose global diplomacy with the lived experience of refugees under a dictatorship in exile.

🗽 New York City 🏛️ International politics hub 🗺️ Refugee enclave

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:59

Main Characters – The Dictator (2009)

Meet the key characters of The Dictator (2009), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Omar Aladeen (Hassan Hosny)

A ruthless dictator who rewrites his nation's vocabulary, sponsors terrorism, and maintains power through fear and spectacle. He is theatrical, volatile, and capable of surprising acts of vulnerability when confronted with a real connection.

👑 Tyranny 🗺️ Global politics 🧠 Manipulation

Admiral-General Haffaz Aladeen (Khaled Sarhan)

The dictator’s son who inherits the regime and initially upholds the old order. He exudes ambition and confidence, but his actions are shaped by the power dynamics of succession and political scheming.

🏛️ Power-strategy 🗝️ Succession 🧭 Ambition

Zoey (Eman Al Sayyed)

A human rights activist who becomes entangled with Aladeen and ultimately challenges his rule. She embodies liberal values and represents a counterweight to dictatorship through empathy and advocacy.

🕊️ Idealism 💬 Dialogue 🎭 Relationships

Clayton (Shady Khalaf)

A hitman hired to assassinate Aladeen who inadvertently accelerates the plot’s turn toward reform. His actions trigger a cascade of misjudgments and dramatic reversals that shape the dictator’s arc.

⚔️ Violence 🧩 Deception 🗡️ Risk

Nadal

Former chief of Wadiya’s nuclear program who becomes a pivotal ally in the power shift. He uses strategic leverage to influence the transition and negotiates a role in the post-dictatorship order.

💡 Strategy 🛰️ Nuclear program 🗺️ Alliances

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:59

Major Themes – The Dictator (2009)

Explore the central themes of The Dictator (2009), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👑 Power and Authority

The narrative dissects how absolute power consolidates through fear, language control, and a personality cult. Aladeen uses state machinery to bend institutions and public opinion to his will, showcasing the fragility of democracy under autocratic rule.

🪞 Identity and Facade

Characters wear masks—literal and figurative—while the regime relies on deception and performative leadership. The tension between surface appearances and brutal real actions drives the story, especially as Aladeen confronts his true self in intimate moments.

🗳️ Democracy and Change

The plot pivots on a staged shift toward democracy that gradually unsettles the old order. Despite initial manipulation, the narrative threads hint at genuine reform as personal relationships and pressure from allies push the dictator toward more humane governance.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:59

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The Dictator Summary

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The Dictator Timeline

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The Dictator Timeline

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The Dictator Spoiler-Free Summary

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