Loosely based on the true story of Latif Yahia (Cooper), an Iraqi Army officer who is called to Baghdad by his former classmate, Uday Hussein. Uday tells Latif that he's chosen him to be his body double to stand in for him at public appearances and Latif isn't given the option to refuse. Director Tamahori intercuts news footage with depictions of Uday's extreme and frequently sadistic behavior.