watch later

Not interested / seen

The Kingmaker (2019)The Kingmaker (2019)

The Kingmaker (2019)

A revealing documentary about the Philippines' darkest era

Crime, Documentary, Drama

7.5

movie

Denmark, Philippines
English, Tagalog
Discussion-sparking, True-story-based
2019
Female director, Lauren Greenfield
Andres D. Bautista, Benigno Aquino III, Bongbong Marcos
100 min

Synopsis

rotten tomatoes
imdb
wikipedia
Documentary centering on the controversial political career of Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines whose behind-the-scenes influence of her husband Ferdinand's presidency rocketed her to the global political stage.

Our Take

7.5
The Staff

There is no shortage of resources—be it books, films, articles, or interviews—about the atrocities Ferdinand Marcos unleashed on the Philippines. And yet, in the years since his exile and eventual death, his family has returned to power in the country, winning the hearts and (manipulated) minds of the masses.

In The Kingmaker, director Lauren Greenfield (who earlier directed the equally revealing The Queen of Versailles) exposes how this came to be, with a focus on the titular kingmaker herself, Imelda Marcos. It’s chilling how much of Imelda’s stated goals in this documentary, which spans five years, have come true. History repeats itself, and Greenfield skillfully and delicately captures the delusion, irony, and blatant corruption of a family dead set on owning a country, as if it were another luxury to purchase (or in the case of the Marcoses, pocket). 

Comments

What did you think? Who should watch it?

Next up

Riceboy Sleeps (2022)

best

8.6

An immigrant tale that is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking

Papicha (2019)

best

8.3

With fashion as their defiance, Papicha boldly unveils the resilience of women against the backdrop of an oppressive society

Made in Hong Kong (1997)

7.5

A nihilistic teen gangster melodrama about abandonment set in 1997 Hong Kong

Y tu mamá también (2001)

7.0

Alfonso Cuarón uncovers the raw desires and thrilling adventures of youth in a sensual and provocative journey through Mexico's landscapes

The Blue Caftan (2022)

best

8.0

A delicate and moving portrait of pure love

Welcome to Chechnya (2020)

7.6

A harrowing, uncompromising account of efforts to save LGBTQ+ Chechens from Russian authorities

Tongues Untied (1989)

7.5

Breaking boundaries and amplifying the unheard stories of Black gay men in America

Die Beautiful (2016)

best

8.1

A poignant and heartwarming Filipino film that celebrates the transformative power of authenticity and resilience

Shinjuku Boys (1995)

best

8.1

Gender defies expectations and hearts defy conventions in 1990s Japan

R.M.N. (2022)

best

8.0

A scarily incisive look at xenophobia in small-town Europe

Curated by humans, not algorithms.

agmtw

© 2023 agoodmovietowatch. Altona Studio, LLC, all rights reserved.