Whitaker Graces DSTV Screens This Month

This March, DStv will screen LAST KING OF SCOTLAND for which Forest Whittaker won a Best Actor Oscar for his gripping performance as Uganda’s Idi Amin. Starring opposite the soft spoken actor is James McAvoy who plays his personal physician Dr. Nicholas Garrigan. Told from Garrigan’s perspective, the movie follows his time in Uganda and his relationship with Amin. Premiering on Sunday March 16 at 20:00 CAT, LAST KING OF SCOTLAND is based on the award-winning novel by journalist Giles Foden. It focuses on the rise of Amin and his reign from 1971 to 1979. The novel focuses on Garrigan’s relationship and fascination with the president. Garrigan acts repeatedly against his better judgment, remaining in Amin’s employment until he is far past the point of easy escape physically or morally. He is gradually drawn into the corruption and paranoia of his surroundings. Born July 15 in 1961, the charismatic Forest Whitaker has won several major awards for his performance as Idi Amin in THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND. These included an Oscar, a Golden Globe and a BAFTA. He became the fourth African American to win an Academy Award for Best Actor, following in the footsteps of the legendary Sidney Poiter, Denzel Washington and Jamie Foxx. Whitaker immersed himself in the details of Amin’s life to prepare himself for the challenging part. He has earned a reputation for this kind of intensive character study work for films such as Bird and Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai. The unsung hero was almost lost to the film world. While attending university on a football scholarship, a debilitating back injury made him decide to turn his back on football and study music instead. He was accepted to the Music Conservatory at the University of Southern California to study opera as a tenor. He was then accepted into the Drama Conservatory, where he graduated in 1982. He also earned a scholarship to attend the California branch of the Drama Studio. Whitaker’s first onscreen role of note was in 1982’s Fast Times at Ridgemont High alongside the likes of Nicolas Cage, Phoebe Cates and Sean Penn. He followed with notable roles in Platoon, Good Morning, Vietnam, and The Color of Money. In 1988, he played the role of musician Charlie Parker in the Clint Eastwood directed film, Bird, for which he won Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for a Golden Globe. Known for his diverse roles, the gifted actor tried his hand at producing and directing in the 90’s. He went on to co-produce and co-star in A Rage in Harlem in 1991. He also executive produced the 2002 Emmy-award winning made-for-TV movie, Door to Door, starring William H. Macy.