The Dictator

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.

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.

👑 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.