Movies

Lauren Greenfield on her revealing portrait of Imelda Marcos

10:35 am on 1 August 2020

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Imelda Marcos' vast shoe collection (anywhere from 1,200 to 3,000 pairs) became an emblem of the corrupt and lavish regime of her husband, Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos. It's estimated that together they siphoned off US$5-10 billion of public money between 1965 and 1986.

The now 91-year-old former First Lady is the subject of Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Lauren Greenfield's latest documentary: The Kingmaker. Greenfield managed to negotiate extraordinary access to her subject - who remains defiantly remorseless.

Greenfield's previous films The Queen of Versailles and Generation Wealth also examined consumerism, gender and obscene wealth.

The Kingmaker shows as part of Whānau Marama: New Zealand International Film Festival and is available to watch online until 11pm on Monday 3rd August.