Philippine judge stops ‘Imelda’

Filipinos know all about the breathtaking shoe and jewelry collections Imelda Marcos amassed during two decades as first lady, but a Manila court is making them wait to watch a film she says makes a joke of her life.

After hearing complaints from Marcos’ lawyers, a judge on Thursday issued a 20-day restraining order on the documentary “Imelda,” which had been due for an advance media screening later in the day and for general release on July 7.

The judge ordered Marcos to post a $1,780 bond to stop the public release of the movie while the court deliberated on whether to ban it altogether.

The film has won good reviews and the best cinematography award at the Sundance Film Festival this year, but it upset the 74-year-old widow by hinting that she and Ferdinand Marcos amassed illegal wealth during his iron-fisted rule.

In her petition, Marcos, who has faced dozens of criminal charges and civil lawsuits but has never been convicted, argued that the film would cause her “extreme and irreparable injury and injustice” and violate her right to privacy.