The Search for Weng Weng (2013)
November 29, 2013Release Date
The Search for Weng Weng (2013)
November 29, 2013Release Date
Plot.
Where to Watch.
Currently The Search for Weng Weng is available for streaming online, rent, buy or watch for free on: YouTube, Tubi TV, Night Flight Plus, Fandango At Home, VUDU Free
Streaming in:πΊπΈ United States
Cast & Crew.
Tikoy Aguiluz
Self
Don Gordon Bell
Self
Weng Weng
Archive Footage
Celso Ad. Castillo
Self
Teddie Co
Self
Rez Cortez
Self
Roland Dantes
Self
Kristine Kintana
Cinematography
Andrew Leavold
Director
Corinne de San Jose
Sound Mixer
Jet Leyco
Cinematography
Daniel Palisa
Writer
Francis de Veyra
Composer
Damien Devaux
Composer
The Screaming Meanies
Composer
Jordan Arabejo
Cinematographer
Media.
Details.
This Movie Is About.
Wiki.
The Search for Weng Weng is a 2013 documentary film about Filipino actor Weng Weng (1957β1992), directed by Andrew Leavold. The film follows Leavold's quest to discover the story of the largely forgotten actor, whose real name was Ernesto de la Cruz. His starring roles were in locally produced action comedies films that found worldwide distribution in the early 1980s. Weng Weng is the shortest leading man in cinema history, standing at 83 cm. Leavold, who is Australian, decided to travel to the Philippines with a backpack and a camera and assemble every piece of information he could on the actor. Leavold interviewed many who sometimes both worked with and knew the actor. This includes Eddie Nicart, Bobby A. Suarez, Marrie Lee, Dolphy, Imelda Marcos, Tikoy Aguiluz, among many others. Leavold eventually discovered his remaining relatives, who described the actor's childhood and last years.
In 2007 a rough cut of the film was screened and caught the attention of producers who bought the project. It became the basis of Mark Hartley's Machete Maidens Unleashed! (2010), a documentary about cult films made in the Philippines, where Leavold worked as an associate producer and was credited for his original idea. Since it only mentioned Weng Weng briefly, it left Leavold unsatisfied who negotiated with the other producers so that he could finish his film. Leavold launched a successful Kickstarter campaign, and with a team he finished his film.
In 2013 the film premiered in the Philippines and played worldwide in the film festivals circuits the following year, being part of the official selection of the Cinemanila International film festival, Sheffield Doc/Fest, and Udine Far East Film Festival, also Leavold won the Melbourne Monster Fest. The film had a limited theatrical run in North America. It was well reviewed and considered to be insightful as it uncovers the life of Weng Weng while also providing a look at an obscure facet of Filipino culture.