Emmy winning director Lauren Greenfield (The Queen of Versailles), latest film The Kingmaker, will have its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival this August. The documentary centers on the indomitable character and 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 Kingmaker will screen at additional festivals in the upcoming months, followed by a theatrical release this fall and a world television premiere on Showtime in early 2020.
Written and directed by Greenfield, the award-winning director of Generation Wealth and The Queen of Versailles, The Kingmaker explores and exposes the Marcos family’s long history of corruption, extravagance and brutality, including Calauit Island, a safari park that favors the well-being of its exotic animals to the detriment of the people living there. Featuring unprecedented access, including one-on-one interviews and verite footage with Imelda Marcos, The Kingmaker tells her story as a powerful female leader who left an indelible mark on history and divided a nation. From her current political project – guiding her son Bongbong in his bid for the vice presidency – audiences understand how at age 90, Imelda Marcos continues to influence the revival of authoritarianism in the Philippines.