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Saddam's Tribe

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A unique drama telling the inside story of Saddam Hussein's despotic regime.

Drawing on unprecedented access to Hussein's daughter, Raghad Hussein, and other key eye-witnesses, as well as extensive research, the film gets to the heart of the brutal dictator's tyranny and his eventual downfall. Saddam's Tribe exposes how the fate of a whole nation turned on the fluctuations of family loyalty and, eventually, of family betrayal amidst a descent into debauchery and corruption.

 

The invasion of Iraq in 2003 brought an end to Saddam Hussein's regime: one of the last century's most vile dictatorships. But behind the headlines about UN inspections and weapons of mass destruction is an even more extraordinary story of how Hussein retained power for over a quarter of a century and would ultimately come to lose it.

 

Saddam's power was built on a government made up of trusted family members. Prominent among them were his psychopathic playboy son Uday and his ambitious son-in-law Hussein Kamel. But in 1995 a bitter power struggle erupted between the two men. Caught in the middle was Raghad Hussein, whose loyalties to father, brother and husband were challenged as the battle for control of Iraq reached its vicious, bloody climax. From pampered politician's wife to exile, she would go on to emerge from the ruins as the fallen leader's heir.

 

World Productions for Channel 4 and The Discovery Channel

 

 

“A fascinating drama….possibly the best programme on television this week…outstanding performances…”

The Observer

 

“There’s a revealing human story here and Daniel May’s performance as Uday gives a glimpse of the psychosis that underpinned this extraordinary family.”

The Sunday Telegraph

 

“Saddam’s Tribe is a fascinating take on a story we are aware of but perhaps do not know well.”

Evening Standard

 

“What felt authentic was the mixture of terror and sentimentality.”

The Independent




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