The Search For Weng Weng (2013) ***
The Search For Weng Weng (2013) is a heartfelt documentary about one genre film lover's obsessive quest to learn more about famous diminutive Filipino actor Weng Weng, most well-known as the star of a series of James Bond spoofs.
Director Andrew Leavold's journey takes him to the home of relatives, into conversations with cast and crew who worked with Weng Weng and, most surreal of all, to a birthday celebration for former Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos.
Of the subjects interviewed for Search, some express how they are uncomfortable with what the films of Weng Weng represent—a disabled actor placed in absurd situations for entertainment. Others feel that Weng Weng helped make a name for their country and that when reassessed, his films have merit.
What Leavold finds, unsurprisingly, is that Weng Weng, while exploited for his stature, not properly compensated in the slightest, and perhaps having lead a life filled more with sadness than any other emotion, has also brought immense joy, laughter, and awe to a great many fans across the world.
Director Andrew Leavold's journey takes him to the home of relatives, into conversations with cast and crew who worked with Weng Weng and, most surreal of all, to a birthday celebration for former Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos.
Of the subjects interviewed for Search, some express how they are uncomfortable with what the films of Weng Weng represent—a disabled actor placed in absurd situations for entertainment. Others feel that Weng Weng helped make a name for their country and that when reassessed, his films have merit.
What Leavold finds, unsurprisingly, is that Weng Weng, while exploited for his stature, not properly compensated in the slightest, and perhaps having lead a life filled more with sadness than any other emotion, has also brought immense joy, laughter, and awe to a great many fans across the world.
Comments
Post a Comment