The Dictator, directed by Larry Charles, is British film released in the year 2012, and stars Sacha Baron Cohen, as General Aladeen. Sacha Cohen also doubles up as a co-writer of the movie script. Generally, the movie focuses on Admiral General Aladeen - the President of the Northeastern Africa Republic of Wadiya. As the title of the movie suggests, the president is a despot ruling the country with an iron fist. Away from the movie plot, one of the most notable things in the movie is the choice of music; approximately thirteen different songs are played in the film. The use of music in The Dictator is strategic; the music serves to entertain the viewers, while at the same time supporting the cinematic narrative of the movie.
The use of music in The Dictator is a continuation of a tradition that began since the dawn of motion pictures. Over the years, film makers have discovered the importance of using soundtracks in their movies since, sometimes, the success of the movies depends on music recording. Filmmakers have a wide range of choices when incorporating the songs into movies, but the choice of musical genre depends on the type of movie, the scene, and the intended effect on viewers. Because of the fact that, sometimes, the success of a movie depends on the popularity of the music used in the movie, it is for this reason that composers and song writers are in great demand in the film industry.
In The Dictator, the songs that are featured –either implicitly or explicitly- include: “The Next Episode”, “Ila Nzour Nebra”, “Habibi”, “Everybody Hurts”, “Wahrane Wahrane”, “9 to 5”, “Goulou L’Mama”, “The Song of Admiral General Sergeant Aladeen”, Let’s Get it On”, “Raoui”, “Money’s On the Dresser”, “Our Beloved Leader” and “Wala Ala Balo.” Depending on the scene, the use of music in The Dictator expresses character emotion, establishes a mood, advances the story, establishes the time setting or heightens drama in the movie. For example the use of the song “Our Beloved Leader” matches the action in the film in terms of power as well as intensity. The Aladeenies heartily sing this song in praise of their leader – Admiral General Aladeen.
In the early stages of the movie, the use of music establishes the comical mood of the movie. As the viewers anticipate the next course of action, the music manipulates their feelings and emotions to create a relaxed mood. The music also underscores General Aladeen’s nonsensical, condescending character right away from the beginning of the movie. Because of the mood that has been set in the start of the movie, the viewers expect to be treated to Aladeen’s tyrannical and comical theatrics throughout the movie. Aladeen’s slow but commanding voice also helps to entrench this notion at the back of viewers mind. Therefore, it can be suffice to say that music helps to guide emotions throughout the film.
The use of music in The Dictator also acts as a powerful guide to the viewers on how they should feel about the events happening in the movie. The music has a way of signaling the theme and the mood embraced in a specific scene. For example, “Our Beloved Leader” evokes a sense of blind patriotism among the Aladeens, who are ruled by a despot. Moreover, the music entrenches the quality of characters within a given landscape. The use of music is also used to evoke memories of a certain era, or period, in life. For example use of the “The Next Episode” conjures up memories similar to those associated with the rise of the hip-hop music industry. The hip-hop undertones go well with the Aladeen’s use of vulgar language in the lyrics. Again, a remix of “The next Episode” is not only hilarious, but also it gives a fitting tribute to the great General Admiral Aladeen.
On several occasions, the use of music in The Dictator heightens the intensity of drama in the film. The music is as dramatic as the scenes from the film. The use of interesting sounds in the background matches the scenes, and this makes the music as effective as the characters. The song “Wala Ala Balo” fits into this description quite well. Therefore, the music used in The Dictator is both resourceful to the movie makers, as well to the audience targeted.
In conclusion, the use of music and soundtracks forms an integral part of film production. Through music, filmmakers are able to support their work - by introducing music that integrates into the themes and characters of the film. Specifically, the use of music is pivotal in guiding the audience, and evoking the required mood. In The Dictator, music has a profound effect on the viewer’s emotions and in establishing the mood of the film. Also, the music used helps to heighten the drama in the movie. Therefore, the film is fair example of good use of music in films; the music integrates well with the scenes and the characters in the movie.
Works Cited
Bradshaw, Peter. The Dictator – review. 10 May 2012. 5 May 2013
Jeffrey, Victoria. The role of sound, music and sound effect in the film indus. 9 January 2008. 5
May 2013
