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Deep Dive: Imelda (2003)

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Imelda
Imelda is a documentary film directed by Ramona S. Diaz that chronicles the life of Imelda Marcos, the former First Lady of the Philippines. The film begins with her childhood and follows her marriage to Ferdinand Marcos, who later became the President of the Philippines. It covers significant events during their rule, including the declaration of martial law in 1972, and Imelda's subsequent exile in Hawaii. The film features interviews with Imelda's children, Imee and Ferdinand Jr., and incorporates third-party interviews and archival material. The documentary presents Imelda's perspective on her life and the Marcos regime, including her claims about human rights in the Philippines. It also includes anecdotes, such as her meeting with General Douglas MacArthur and her extravagant lifestyle, exemplified by her statement about taking 3,000 pairs of shoes into exile. The film provides a glimpse into the lavish parties hosted by the Marcos couple and the cultural projects Imelda initiated, such as museums and theaters.

Why Watch

  • •See Imelda Marcos discuss her life and legacy.
  • •Find out about the lavish parties of the Marcos couple.
  • •Meet Imelda's children and hear their perspectives.

Did You Know

•Imelda Marcos claimed to have taken 3,000 pairs of shoes into exile.
•The film won the Excellence in Cinematography Award at Sundance in 2004.
•Imelda's film premiered on TV5 on February 24, 2009.
•Imelda outsold Spider-Man 2 in the Philippines upon its release.

Perfect For

Philippine history enthusiastsDocumentary film fansPolitical biography readers