The Kingmaker

"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.

Brilliant documentary. It shows how much you can do with money; it can turn lies to history.

I love the Philippines, visited many times and my longterm gf is there. The carnage left behind from this disgusting dynasty is there for all to see today in the form of vastly stunted economic growth down to the billions of dollars embezzled by these creatures !

This documentary is wonderfully put together but leaves me sad to see a country I am so fond of suffering even today from what these two people did ! Her state of mass delusion is clear for all to see in this excellent piece of work !

This is an incredibly well put together documentary. Imelda Marcos doesn't exactly shoot herself in the foot - she is too smart to do that, but you nonetheless get to see the realities she so flagrantly ignores whilst living in her self made fantasy world. How many billions has this power crazed matriarch squirreled away in 140 countries across the world. There are only 8 and a bit billion people on the planet and handing each one a single dollar might seem like generosity but this very much hides the manipulations of the Marcos clan. We note other world leaders seem to be in the same exclusive club as this gurning despot. Lord help us all.

This documentary perfectly captured the experiences of the Marcos and the exploited people. It showed what it is like to live with extensive wealth and how the Marcos regime used it for political power and their self interests.

This is a must watch film for those who wish to see the Marcos' perspective on Martial Law and their countless political movements.

This documentary shows the truth, through direct interviews with the Marcoses, and it is up to you if you are going to believe it. As John Henry Newman would say: "We can believe what we choose but we are answerable for what we choose to believe.