The Documentary: A Thousand Cuts
The Director: Ramona S. Diaz
The Story: A look at how Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte uses social
media to spread disinformation.
The Review:
Philippines president Rodrigo Roa Duterte is basically a dictator who uses
lies and manipulation to gain power, consolidate power, and control as much of
the country's population as possible. He uses a so called war on drugs to
instill fear into the rank and file, poverty stricken segment of the
citizenry. Any attempt to expose his lies, or make any move that might show
the levels of corruption his administration is involved in is met with attacks
via social media and even from the man himself.
Maria Ressa is the CEO of and a journalist for Rappler, a media organization
that is dedicated to truth, democracy, and freedom of the press. Because of
this stance, Rappler and Ressa herself are constantly under attack by Duterte
and the various cronies he has placed in his community of corruption. This
documentary shows the steadfast bravery and dedication to the aforementioned
principles as she is harassed and mocked via social media and televised
events. The online hatred is quite brutal and yet she navigates the storm with
a grace and confidence that is inspiring. Even when she gets arrested for
whatever's Duterte and his people can dream up.
I really liked how deep into this ongoing battle director Ramona S. Diaz is
able to dive into and the level of intimacy she is able to bring out in
conversations and just being a fly on the wall creates a very engaging
experience. The director manages to show the humanity of each person for
better or worse and you understand where each of them is coming from whether
it's Dutarte's schemes and plans or one of Rappler's reporters as they deal
with events they are covering.
One of the things that is also very apparent is just how similar in mindset
and political approach Duterte is when stacked up against our own want to be
dictator here in the states. They both use lies to create a fictional reality
that is filled with false nationalism and a singular sense of what is true
based ironically on the layers of lies. It's amazing to me that there are
people who follow these men on any level as it seems so easy to see through
their parlor tricks and how all they are doing is protecting their power base
and stealing as much money as they are able for as long as they can.
All that being said, what I really took from this film is how, in the face of
crumbling democracy, there are people who stand for justice and will do
everything they can to keep freedom at the forefront of a country's core
values. Maria Ressa is a hero. She is a hero who has been honored and awarded
by so many organizations around the world and I believe that she will continue
to fight against Duterte's corruption for as long as he is allowed to rule.
To see more reviews, interviews, and festival coverage please go to:
TwoOhSix at LAAPFF 2020.
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