The Search for Weng Weng
Director: Andrew Leavold Run Time: 88 min. Format: DCP Rating: NR Release Year: 2007 Language: English, Tagalog
Starring: Roy Arabejo, Tikoy Aguiluz, Tilman Baumgaertel, Weng Weng
One filmmakers quest to uncover the secrets behind the Philippines’ 2 ft. 9 James Bond, Weng Weng. Director Andrew Leavold will be in attendance for a Q&A!
Some of the most bizarre filmmaking from the 1970’s and 80’s came out of the Philippines. Under the thumb of an oppressive regime, the country became an unexpected hotspot for exploitation film makers out to make blood-and-guts skin flicks for dirt cheap prices. Though the scene often featured B-movie heavies like Pam Grier or Dick Miller, the boom’s breakout star was mysterious pint-sized action star named Weng Weng. The 2 ft. 9 James Bond died in 1993, but his legacy became emblematic of the country’s post-colonial struggle with censorship and strife, which lead an American video store owner on a crazed quest to uncover the secrts of Weng Weng’s life.