Imelda (film)
| Imelda | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Ramona S. Diaz |
| Starring | |
Production company | CineDiaz |
Release date |
|
| Country | Philippines |
| Languages | Tagalog, Filipino, English |
| Box office | $200,992 |
Imelda is a 2003 documentary film about Imelda Marcos directed by Ramona S. Diaz.
Synopsis
Diaz followed Imelda for a month and also interviewed her daughter Imee and her son Ferdinand, Jr..[1] Throughout the film, First Lady Imelda states in interviews that the reason why her husband abolished Congress and declared Martial Law in 1972 was due democracy.[1] She explains that "she needed to possess such a lavish wardrobe because it inspired the poor to dress better."[1] She also says that she built galleries and theaters in order to imrpove Filipino culture ."[1]
Imelda claims that she had met Douglas MacArthur during his landing in Tacloban at the end of World War II who eventually insisted that she should perform for the singer Irving Berlin.[2] She sang "God Bless the Philippines" and, when she was asked by Berlin, she said , "what's the difference between America and the Philippines?"[2] The assassination attempt against Imelda and the Assassination of Benigno Aquino, Jr. are featured in the film.[3] Footage from parties held by the Marcos couple also appear including one held in a yacht where George Hamilton is quoted as saying "I can't give you anything but love, Imelda."[2]
Release
The film had its world premiere at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, and had its North American premiere in the documentary competition of the 2004 Sundance Film Festival,[4] where it won the Excellence in Cinematography Award Documentary.[4] The film was also screened within Maryland Film Festival in Baltimore, where Diaz resides.[4]
Reception
Critical reviews are mostly favorable.[5][6][7][8] The film holds a 94% fresh rating from Rotten Tomatoes and a 69% favorable review form Metacritic.[9][10] The website Film Threat commends the flm because it allows the audience to change their view of Imelda Marcos.[1] San Francisco Gate gives a favorable view by saying the film is "fascinating and impressively balanced."[2] In its review, TV Guide acknowledges the topic of the film as "an entertaining storyteller" by describing her into two contradicting roles.[11] The New York Times describes the film as "a devastating portrait" and equates the theme of Imelda with that of delusion and power.[12] Variety gives a complex review saying "Imelda is a balanced, evenhanded film" and compares Imelda Marcos with Eva Peron and a dragon lady. It also praised Ramona S. Diaz for giving the former First Lady of the Philippines a surprisingly favorable view.[13]
Despite making only $200,992 in the United States,[14] it was considered as a smash hit in the Philippines where it earned more than Spiderman 2 in theaters in spite of an initial ban.[15]
References
- ^ a b c d e Imelda. Film Threat.
- ^ a b c d FILM CLIPS / Also opening today. San Francisco Gate. June 11, 2004.
- ^ 'Imelda': Don't Cry for Her. The Washington Post. July 16, 2004.
- ^ a b c Imelda. Internet Movie Database.
- ^ Walk in her shoes. Canoe.ca. December 1, 2004.
- ^ Imelda. Deseret News. December 2, 2004.
- ^ Short Reviews: Imelda. The Phoenix. August 6-12, 2004.
- ^ Movie guide. Christian Science Monitor. June 18, 2004.
- ^ Imelda. Rotten Tomatoes.
- ^ Imelda. Metacritic.
- ^ Imelda. '.TV Guide.
- ^ For a Regal Pariah, Despite It All, the Shoe Is Never on the Other Foot. The New York Times. June 9, 2004.
- ^ Review: ‘Imelda’. Variety. March 17, 2004.
- ^ Imelda. Box Office Mojo.
- ^ A walk in the shoes of Imelda Marcos]. The Boston Globe. August 6, 2004.
External links
- Imelda at IMDb
- Imelda at AllMovie
- Imelda at Rotten Tomatoes
- Imelda at Metacritic
- Imelda at Box Office Mojo
