From Jeff Nelson

The world is at a pivotal moment when it comes to democracy, which has a direct link to the journalism sector. Director Ramona S. Diaz’s A Thousand Cuts presented the online news site called Rappler, as well as Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa. And So It Begins acts as a companion piece, taking the audience within a fervent fight for democracy and those who refuse to back down in the face of corruption.

Diaz chronicles the 2022 Philippine presidential election, narrowing down to the vote between Leni Robredo and her opponent, Bongbong Marcos, in a battle for democratic integrity. The latter’s platform threatens the very basic notions of a democratic system, highlighting the importance of Robredo’s opposition. Diaz gives an insider look into the campaign within a digital age.

Robredo has a background as a lawyer, turning to politics and becoming the 14th vice president of the Philippines leading up to her run for president in 2022. Meanwhile, Marcos is the child of former President and dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Diaz paints a general picture of both candidates and the values they represent, placing emphasis on Robredo’s empathy and honor, as well as Marcos’ lack thereof. There’s an expectation for the audience to bring a more nuanced political understanding of the government and their history, glazing over the details.

Diaz situates the documentary in many of Robredo’s lively and pink-covered rallies, where positive energy flows between her passionate supporters and volunteers, who see a better future for their country in Robredo. Ressa is the second piece to And So It Begins, which is where the majority of the documentary’s commentary comes into play, discussing government corruption and interference in honest reporting in favor of Marcos-favored propaganda. It’s strikingly compelling, particularly when the film allows Ressa and other Rappler reporters the opportunity to discuss how dishonest and volatile politics impact their field.

This documentary captures the Robredo movement, but the political conversation is limited, particularly from the presidential candidate herself. Ressa gets the opportunity to interview her, discussing social media’s impact on the campaign and the boisterous personal attacks that flood the Internet. It’s a rather fascinating and universal theme, particularly in the contemporary digital age, but the conversation doesn’t quite dig into the meat of the matter.

And So It Begins captures an absorbing, yet harrowing snapshot of modern politics and its impact on media and journalism. Its celebration of hope for a greater future is enthralling, but a greater discourse is lacking. Even so, the passion of Robredo’s supporters and volunteers is heartfelt, while Ressa and her colleagues bring a gripping layer of thought-provoking commentary that begs for further exploration. Diaz’s documentary is a small piece of a greater puzzle that looks to an uncertain future with a whole lot more work left to be done, ultimately working as a companion piece to paint a more complete picture.

Rating: 3/5

And So It Begins played Sundnace on January 22nd, 2024. 

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