A Thousand Cuts

Released Aug 7, 2020

1h 50m

Documentary

List

100%

46 Reviews

Tomatometer

77%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

Journalist Maria Ressa risks her life and freedom as an outspoken critic of Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs.

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Critics Consensus

A sobering documentary and a stark warning, A Thousand Cuts underscores the importance of the press at a pivotal moment in world history.

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Claudia Puig

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

If you care about freedom of the press and democracy, it's a film you have to see.

Aug 18, 2020

Full Review

Peter Rainer

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

It's a fascinating movie on many, many levels.

Aug 18, 2020

Full Review

Richard Whittaker

Austin Chronicle

Diaz stays out of the way of her own lens, instead giving a portrait in context of Ressa's valiant struggle for truth, and her determination to simply do the job even as she becomes part of the story.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 13, 2020

Full Review

Elizabeth Garcia

But Why Tho? A Geek Community

A Thousand Cuts is an excellent documentary with a message that reaches further than the Philippines.

Rated: 8.5/10

Jan 21, 2023

Full Review

Tom O'Brien

Next Best Picture

Diaz was granted remarkable access behind the scenes of Ressa's fight for democracy, creating an insider's look which allows us to see past the journalist's formidable game face to reveal her moments of vulnerability, with which anyone can empathize.

Rated: 8/10

Jun 14, 2022

Full Review

Leslie Combemale

AWFJ.org

Ramona S. Diaz has created a compelling profile of a heroic but humble journalist, but might also awaken the inner activist in more than a few viewers, regardless of where they live.

Nov 2, 2021

Full Review

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Zane U

A harrowing recollection of the tense atmosphere around the journalists that make up one of the most dangerous developed jobs in the world

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/11/22

Full Review

freeson w

A Thousand Cuts follows the story of Maria Ressa, the founder of the Filipino news site Rappler, and her conflict with the government under Rodrigo Duterte. We see the struggle for democracy and freedom of the press as very familiar tactics are used on the populace to turn them towards populism (e.g. inflammatory rhetoric, bots and trolls, social media). We track Ressa's two arrests for "cyber libel" and the campaign for seats in the Philippine senate. Ressa herself is a hopeful figure, but the overall picture looks grim.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

dave d

A Thousand Cuts is a Filipino-American documentary film about Maria Ressa, the founder of the online news site Rappler. It delves into the conflicts between the press and the Philippine government under President Rodrigo Duterte. At times it's a bit chilling, but Ressa plays it so cool you don't feel as though she has any fear which is the emotion Duterte wants her to feel most. It does seem as though there are quite a few similarities with Duterte and the last United States president. It covers a lot of the same ground over and over, but it does shed some light on a failing democracy. Final Score: 8/10

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This speaks the truth.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is totally bull! Do your research and not rely on trad media. Visit the Phils. and ask random ordinary citizens. Pure fiction movie trying to pass as documentary.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Self serving lies. No credibility.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

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Ramona S. Diaz

Director

Maria Ressa

Self

Ramona S. Diaz

Writer

Ramona S. Diaz

Producer

Chris Clements

Producer

Christopher Clements

Producer

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Synopsis

Journalist Maria Ressa risks her life and freedom as an outspoken critic of Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs.

Director: Ramona S. Diaz
Producer: David J. Cornfield, Linda A. Cornfield, Laurene Powell-Jobs, Jonathan Silberberg
Screenwriter: Ramona S. Diaz
Distributor: PBS Distribution
Production Co: Cinediaz, TBD Post, Concordia Studio
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 7, 2020, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 7, 2020
Runtime: 1h 50m

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