AND SO IT BEGINS

A gripping political thriller along with a reflection on the notion of democracy, power dynamics, political institutions, and the electoral process itself, And So it Begins guarantees you will be watching it on the edge of your seat quite literally. The film is set during the last months of Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency of the Philippines, a regime accused of illiberal tendencies, violence, and corruption. Amid the election campaign, Maria Ressa and Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the two primary opponents could not be any more different. The first comes from a grassroots movement and speaks directly to the everyday people, promising justice and freedom while the latter, as the former dictator’s son, preaches the glory of a past that was less than stellar for some, structuring his campaign around a name that carries weight (in more than one way). Ramona Diaz follows the path to the ballot box step by step, drawing us into its feverish pace and delivering an urgent, significant film that showcases the importance of voting, as well as the invaluable presence of people still capable of inspiring hope.