Complimenting Ramona S. Diaz’s 2020 film “A Thousand Cuts” introducing Maria Ressa’s struggle in the Philippines to assert the rights of a free press through her media outlet Rappler, Diaz returns this month to 2024 Sundance with “And So It Begins” which chronicles the 2022 Presidential campaign of Leni Robredo affectionately known as “Leni”.
Facing a massive misinformation campaign Robredo finished a distant second. The campaign is a fascinating event to watch particularly the enthusiasm of her supporters and the festival like aspect of her campaign with dancers, jugglers, costuming and music. But through her speeches and interviews the dead seriousness of the campaign is not subsumed by joviality. The Philippines under previous Presidents Ferdinand Marcos and Rodrigo Duterte was a country of martial law, corruption, beatings, torture and extra-judicial killings. The documentary explores the political history of the Philippines necessary to understand the importance of the “pink wave” presidential campaign of Leni.
Leni placed a distant second in the presidential election losing to Ferdinand Marcos Jr. known as “Bong Bong” who at best may continue with what Maria Ressa refers to a “semblance of democracy” in the Philippines.
Directed, written and produced by Ramona S. Diaz.
RKS 2024 Film Rating 93/100.
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