There’s a legitimate threat to truth and democracy, and it’s not just rotting the political system of the United States.
“And So It Begins” offers a look at the Filipino elections in the wake of the end of Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency (and his open attacks on democratic institutions like a free press), where citizens had hope for a new beginning. On the flip side, there was also a growing contingent of the population that vocally wished for a turn to more autocracy and a will to take things back to the way they were before.
The film is a story of division, but also one about those who won’t give up their fight as defenders of democracy. It’s a story of resistance and hope, even when it all feels so pointless.
Writer – director Ramona S. Diaz’s documentary is exhaustive and dry, and she bombards viewers with too much information. The film covers a lot of ground, from political propaganda, sexist attacks between candidates, and the growing problem of voter apathy. Diaz includes a lot of archival footage combined with interviews to paint a thorough picture of the current political climate in the Philippines, but it isn’t presented in an enjoyable way. The documentary is in need of content editing.
All of this is chilling for citizens all around the globe who are dealing with elections that are based on misinformation and fake news. Sound familiar? That’s why “And So It Begins,” despite its monotonous tone, ends up cementing itself a highly cautionary warning cry – or at least it should.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 