Imelda Marcos: Poder en la sombra

"The Kingmaker" (2019 release; 100 min.) is a documentary about the life and times of Imelda Marcos, erstwhile First Lady of the Philippines (1965-1986). As the movie opens, we are in "Manile, 2014", and Imelda is visiting the old neighborhood (the Presidential Palace). "I miss the clout of being First Lady", she laments, while wondering if her appearance and make-up for the interview is ok. We then go back in time, as we look at her very modest upbringing until she catches the eye of Ferdinand Marcos while in a beauty contest. Before we know it, they marry and Marcos vies to become President of the Philippines... At this point we are 10 min. into the documentary.

Couple of comments: this is the latest documentary from writer-director Lauren Greenfield, best known for her 2012 documentary "The Queen of Versailles". Here she seemingly gets unfettered access to Imelda and her entourage, and she lets Imelda tell her side of the story, one in which of course Imelda is but a shining bright star in the darkness that is the Filipino sea of poverty. The great thing is that Greenfield doesn't have to "manufacture" anything: Imelda does it for her! Greenfield of course give ample screen time to opposing views, including survivirs of the Martial Lawera (1972-1980), during which torturing was rampant, And oh, lest we forget: the Marcoses stole an estimated $8-10 billion (with a "b") while in office. And if all of this isn't enough, Greenfield follows the Vice Predential election campaign in 2015-16 of Bongbong Marcos (son of Imelda), which itself becomes as revelating as anyting (just watch!). When confronted with issues of "ill-gotten wealth", Imelda simply shrugs it off (as does Bongbong). "Perception is real, and the truth is not", she states as a matter of fact. Hmmm, where have we heard this elsewhere in recent times? Bottom line: "The Kingmaker" is an oustanding and riveting documentar, period.

"The Kingmaker" premiered on Showtime in 2019, which I somehow missed, but I recently caught it on Showtime on Demand and it is available on other VOD platforms too. If you have any interest in "lifestyles of the rich and famous", or how depots fleece an entire country for decades, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.