Swedish filmmaker Johan Renck, who won an Emmy for his acclaimed miniseries “Chernobyl,” will helm the forthcoming feature film “The Prisoner in His Palace,” which depicts the final days of Saddam Hussein’s reign.
Inspired by the best-selling book, “The Prisoner in His Palace: Saddam Hussein, His American Guards, and What History Leaves Unsaid” by Will Bardenwerper, the film will chronicle the tale of the 12 American troops who guarded Saddam Hussein in the months before his execution.
It shows the two sides of Saddam Hussein, the cruel dictator who uses torture and murder as tools and the prisoner who shows surprising affection, dignity, and courage in the face of death. In addition, the book digs into the lives of the guards and demonstrates how Saddam’s presence impacted them personally.
Author Will Bardenwerper, a former Airborne Ranger-qualified infantry officer, will be the film’s executive producer.