"The Kingmaker" is subtle with how it depicts the cunning and devious ways of Imelda Marcos. Actually, it's up to you as the viewer to decide who to side with - Imelda's words or the stories of those who have been oppressed by her family's decisions in the past. Regardless, "The Kingmaker" is a well-balanced documentary that is entertaining as it is cunningly disturbing.
It's the 2016 elections and Imelda Marcos is on a mission to make her son Bongbong Marcos the next vice president of the Philippines. Along the way, we get to know the life and the psyche of the woman before she married Ferdinand Marcos, their power during his presidency, and the eventual downfall of their family in 1986 People Power revolution, and their plot to wipe off her family's sinister reputation especially with the younger generation.
From its first few minutes, we see Imelda Marcos calm, cool, and collected. Her charm undeniable and even we, as Filipinos, started believing her words. But Lauren Greenfield does amazing work as she subtlety unveils the perceptive reality that Imelda tries to convey against the backdrop of real people who experienced great tragedy through the actions of her and Ferdinand Marcos. The film's tagline uses Imelda's own words that "Perception is real, and the truth is not." is the very real horror in this film. If ever she believes her own lies or lies to the heart to get away with guilt, the truth is that almost everything she started failed to prosper in the long run. It's a reflection of both past wrongs that her family did and the present wrongs that Filipinos are experiencing with its modern politicians. Surprisingly, Lauren Greenfield doesn't force much to assassinate the character of Imelda Marcos as Imelda herself unravels herself. The documentary doesn't really side with any party equally portraying the biases of the other camp. Overall, "The Kingmaker" is a film that every Filipino should watch. It's a warning sign that we really need to remember the sins of the past and that our forgiving nature as a populace is our own undoing in the long run.
Rating: 4 and a half reels
Why you should watch it:
- as devious as Imelda as it slowly reveals the true intentions of its subject matter
Why you shouldn't watch it:
- for Filipino viewers, some aspects may not be a surprise already
Why you should watch it:
- as devious as Imelda as it slowly reveals the true intentions of its subject matter
Why you shouldn't watch it:
- for Filipino viewers, some aspects may not be a surprise already
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