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Deep Dive: A Thousand Cuts (2020)

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A Thousand Cuts
The film focuses on Maria Ressa, a prominent journalist in the Philippines and founder of the independent news site 'Rappler'. It details her struggle for press freedom in a country under the rule of President Rodrigo Duterte, who has been characterized as a populist leader. The documentary captures Ressa's fight against government intimidation and the challenges faced by journalists in an increasingly hostile environment. Through Ressa's perspective, the film illustrates the impact of Duterte's drug war and the government's efforts to suppress dissent. It emphasizes the importance of holding the government accountable and the consequences of losing press freedoms, as Ressa asserts, 'If you don't use your rights you will lose them.' The narrative is built around Ressa's experiences and the wider effects for democracy in the Philippines.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Maria Ressa, a fierce advocate for press freedom.
  • •See the chilling effects of Duterte's drug war on society.
  • •Find out how Ressa challenges government propaganda.

Did You Know

•Maria Ressa was named Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2018.
•The documentary features the 2018 State of the Nation address by President Duterte.
•Ressa describes the charges against her as intimidation tactics aimed at critics of Duterte's rule.
•The film discusses the polarization of society due to alternative news outlets.

Perfect For

Press freedom advocatesPolitical activistsJournalism students