A Thousand Cuts
A Thousand Cuts is a 2020 Philippine-American documentary film about Maria Ressa, the founder of the online news site Rappler.[2] Directed by Ramona Diaz, it explores the conflicts between the press and the Filipino government under President Rodrigo Duterte.[3]
A Thousand Cuts | |
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Directed by | Ramona S. Diaz |
Written by | Ramona S. Diaz[1] |
Produced by |
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Cinematography |
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Edited by | Leah Marino |
Music by | Sam Lipman |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | PBS Distribution |
Release dates |
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Running time | 99 minutes |
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Language | English |
The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2020. It was released in the United States in a limited release and virtual cinemas on August 7, 2020, by PBS Distribution, and was followed by a broadcast on the program Frontline on January 8, 2021.
Synopsis
It follows the conflicts between the press and the Philippine government under president Rodrigo Duterte. It primarily follows Maria Ressa, the founder of the online news site Rappler, which has been subject to scrutiny by Duterte and his supporters, and writers for the website including Pia Rañada, Patricia Evangelista and Rambo Talabong. It also follows Mocha Uson, Samira Gutoc, and Bato dela Rosa as they campaign for seats in the Philippine senate.
Release
The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2020.[4] It was also set to screen at South by Southwest in March 2020, however, the festival was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5][6]
PBS Distribution and Frontline acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film, and briefly made the film available without charge for a limited time on YouTube for Philippine users on June 12 (Independence Day).[7] It also screened at AFI Docs on June 19, 2020.[8][9]
The film was released in the United States through virtual cinema on August 7, 2020, followed by its Frontline broadcast on January 8, 2021.[7][10]
Reception
A Thousand Cuts received positive reviews from film critics. It holds a 100% approval rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 40 reviews, with an average of 8.2/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "A sobering documentary and a stark warning, A Thousand Cuts underscores the importance of the press at a pivotal moment in world history."[11] On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 81 out of 100, based on 8 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[12]
Awards
A Thousand Cuts won the News and Documentary Emmy Award for Outstanding Social Issues Documentary at the 43rd News and Documentary Emmy Awards in 2022.[13]
References
- "A Thousand Cuts". Sundance Institute. Archived from the original on February 4, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
- 'A Thousand Cuts' Documentary Tracks Disinformation In Dueterte's Philippines : NPR
- In ‘A Thousand Cuts’ a Journalist Risks Her Life Exposing the Philippines’ Dictator | IndieWire
- "A Thousand Cuts". Sundance Film Festival. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- "A Thousand Cuts". South by Southwest. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- "City of Austin Cancels SXSW March Events". South by Southwest. March 6, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- Ramos, Dino-Ray (June 11, 2020). "'A Thousand Cuts': Frontline Acquires Ramona S. Diaz's Docu About War Between Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte And Press". Deadline. Penske Business Media, LLC. Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
- "A Thousand Cuts". AFI Docs. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- Johnson, Ted (June 8, 2020). "AFI Docs Unveils 2020 Slate: '9 To 5: Story Of A Movement,' 'Women In Blue' Among Titles, Lee Grant To Be Honored". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- Husted, Anne (July 13, 2020). "Chronicling the Current War on Press Freedom in the Philippines, "A THOUSAND CUTS" The New Documentary from Filmmaker Ramona S. Diaz Opens in Theaters and Virtual Cinemas Nationwide on August 7". Frontline | PBS. WGBH Educational Foundation. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
- "A Thousand Cuts (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
- "A Thousand Cuts". Metacritic. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- WINNERS FOR THE DOCUMENTARY CATEGORIES OF THE 43rd ANNUAL NEWS & DOCUMENTARY EMMY® AWARDS ANNOUNCED