There’s a new film about late Iraqi president Saddam Hussein in the works, based off Will Bardenwerper’s book The Prisoner In His Palace: Saddam Hussein, His American Guards, And What History Leaves Unsaid. The film adaptation, titled Amo Saddam, will be directed by Chernobyl’s Johan Renck and is set to star Barry Keoghan.
The Irish actor, who will unfortunately not take on the role of Hussein, is set to star as one of the American soldiers tasked with guarding the dictator in the months leading up to his execution in 2006.
So far, there hasn’t been anyone chosen to portray Hussein, though Renck stated that he wants a “really good actor from the region, who speaks Arabic and can authentically embody the role,” as per The Hollywood Reporter.
“In the six months preceding Saddam’s execution, our soldier grows close to Saddam, sharing the stale air of a bombed-out palace turned into a high-security prison whilst navigating the fine line separating fact and fiction,” reads the official film synopsis. “Amo Saddam attempts to reckon with the American imperial machine that has come to define the 21st century.”
Hussein was found guilty of crimes against humanity, including the killing of 148 Shi’a Muslims in the town of Dujail in 1982. His trial, which began in 2005, was marked by controversy, including concerns about its fairness and allegations of political interference. In the weeks preceding his execution on Dec. 30, 2006, there were protests both for and against the execution, and his defense team sought last-minute appeals and interventions to delay or prevent his execution. However, these efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, and Hussein was executed by hanging.
