The Laughing Star

1983 1h 50m EN

🤯

10.0

MASTERPIECE

★10.0TMDB · 1

Documentary

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

One of the most caustic and personal essay films ever made, Werner Schroeter's account of the 1983 Manila Film Festival, presided over by Imelda Marcos, chronicles the legacy of American and Spanish imperialism as it presents a "kaleidoscope of a ravaged country."

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Werner Schroeter
Writers: Werner Schroeter
Languages: German, Tagalog, English
Countries: Germany

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

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Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

ERA

Did you know

43 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 3 languages: German, Tagalog, English.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

RUNTIME

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Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Werner Schroeter, shot by Werner Schroeter. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Christel Orthmann shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0316148 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

Only 1 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Werner Schroeter directs. Werner Schroeter behind the camera. Christel Orthmann cuts. Produced in Germany. Dialogue in German, Tagalog, English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

143 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
2Dialogue crosses 3 languages: German, Tagalog, English.
3Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
4Directed by Werner Schroeter, shot by Werner Schroeter. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Editor Christel Orthmann shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6IMDB entry: tt0316148 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
7Only 1 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.