By Travis Johnson
Haave you seen The Search for Weng Weng? You really should. Andrew Leavold’s rollicking documentary charts his years-long search for the titular action star, diminutive mainstay of a surprisingly large number of Phillipino action movies – a dauting task that saw him trawl through three decades of film history, pop culture, false leads and dead ends to finally piece together the amazing true story of the oddest action man of all time.
Sound good? Well, now Leavold has expanded on the story with the imminent release of a new book by the same title, detailing all the madness that he couldn’t fit into the film. As Leavold says, it’s “…part detective story and midget bio, part gonzo travelogue, part Filipino B Film history lesson, and part magical quest for the Holy Grail – if the Grail is a two foot nine James Bond of the Phillipines.
The book is due out through Meblourne’s LedaTape Organisation from March 29, 2017. Filmink will be hosting a Book Launch and special screening of The Search For Weng Weng at The Ritz Randwick on Wednesday, April 5, with Leavold on hand for a Q&A and signing session. Tickets will be on sale soon – watch this space.
