agmtw logo
search
The Kingmaker (2019)

The Kingmaker (2019)

A revealing documentary about the Philippines' darkest era

7.5

Movie

Denmark, Philippines
English, Tagalog
Crime, Documentary, Drama
2019
FEMALE DIRECTOR, LAUREN GREENFIELD
Andres D. Bautista, Benigno Aquino III, Bongbong Marcos
100 min

What it's about

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.

The take

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

Add a comment

Your name

Your comment

UP NEXT 

UP NEXT 

UP NEXT 

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin (2024)

A gamer with disability crafts a life and community in online roleplay in this unconventional, moving documentary

8.3

To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)

Complicated coppers chase a charming counterfeit in this lean thriller

7.8

The Guilty (2018)

A minimalist, razor-sharp thriller that will have you gasping for air.

9.0

The Merchant of Venice (2004)

Al Pacino does justice to a Shakespearian icon in this comedy turned drama

7.0

Hail Satan? (2019)

Forget everything you think you know about the Satanic Temple

8.0

Incendies (2011)

Part melodrama, part war thriller, Incendies is gorgeous and heartbreaking from the first scene

9.9

Wind River (2017)

Sicario's screenwriter directs this story of murder in an Indigenous reserve

9.4

Aamis (2019)

Unusual cuisine leads to a twisted, forbidden romance in this genre-defying film

7.6

Wild Tales (2014)

Co-produced by Pedro Almodóvar, this tumultuous Argentine anthology film tests the limits of human sanity when pushed to the extremes – and will also test yours.

9.9

The Farewell (2019)

Awkwafina shines in this complex culture clash comedy.

9.1

Curated by humans, not algorithms.

agmtw logo

© 2024 agoodmovietowatch, all rights reserved.