And So It Begins (film)

Last updated

And So It Begins
And So It Begins 2024.jpg
Cinemalaya theatrical release poster
Directed by Ramona Diaz
Written by Ramona Diaz
Produced by Ramona Diaz
CinematographyBruce Sakaki
Edited byAaron Soffin
Music byChristian Almiron
Production
companies
  • Solar Pictures
  • Cinediaz Productions
Release dates
  • January 2024 (2024-01)(Sundance)
  • August 9, 2024 (2024-08-09)(Cinemalaya)
  • August 21, 2024 (2024-08-21)(Philippines)
Running time
113 minutes
Country Philippines
Language Filipino

And So It Begins is a 2024 Philippine documentary film directed by Ramona Diaz which centers around Leni Robredo's 2022 presidential campaign. A follow up to the 2020 film A Thousand Cuts it also covers Maria Ressa.

Contents

Production

And So It Begins is a 113 minute documentary film directed by Ramona Diaz which gives focus on Leni Robredo's 2022 presidential campaign. [1] [2]

The film was originally intended to be a follow up film to A Thousand Cuts which covered Maria Ressa. [1] However it became apparent that then Vice President Robredo would be launching a presidential campaign which the filmmakers decided to incorporate. [3] Ressa and her efforts against disinformation was still covered in the documentary. They also covered the sentiments of supporters of Robredo's rival Bongbong Marcos. [4]

Principal photography took place from 2021 to 2022 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. [3] This period covers Ressa's awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize in October 2021, and Robredo's campaigning and eventual defeat to Bongbong Marcos in the May 2022 election. [4] The production team had to sift through 800 hours worth of footage captured by one person for the film. [1] [4]

Release

And So It Begins premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. It was later screened at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival on August 9, 2024. [1] It had a wider but still limited theatrical release in the Philippines on August 21, 2024. Major cinema chains like SM Cinemas and Ayala Malls Cinemas did not screen the film despite the producers' intention for a "national release". [2]

Reception

The Film Academy of the Philippines submitted And So It Begins as the Philippines' entry for the 97th Academy Awards for the 97th Academy Awards. It is the first Philippine submission of a documentary film. [5] The film was not nominated.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Reyes, Juno (August 10, 2024). "In Photos: Cinemalaya screening of 'And So It Begins'". Rappler. Archived from the original on August 23, 2024. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Coscolluela, Luna (August 23, 2024). "'We were supposed to be a national release': 'And So It Begins' not in major cinema chains". Rappler. Archived from the original on August 23, 2024. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  3. 1 2 Reed, Christopher (July 8, 2024). "A Conversation with Ramona Diaz (AND SO IT BEGINS)". Hammer to Nail. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 Villanueva, Brookie (August 16, 2024). "'And So It Begins' spotlights hope for the nation and the power it holds". Philstar Life. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  5. ↑ Tagala, Don (September 26, 2024). "Ramona Diaz's 'And So It Begins' docu is Philippines' entry to the Oscars". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
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