Supply Lines in the Sea: A Review of Food Delivery – An Intense Expedition Along Supply Lines in the Regional Tension.
Filmmaker Baby Ruth Villarama and her crew board a variety of maritime vessels to chronicle the ongoing strife and its consequences between the Philippines and China over authority of the recently named West Philippine Sea. These waters, viewed by nearly everyone outside of China as within the Philippines' maritime territory, has seen a growing presence by boats from China. Among them are fishing boats, the majority consist of Chinese coast guard ships that have reportedly harassed, intentionally hit, and attempted to board Filipino boats amid the ongoing standoff.
Portions of the film are incredibly gripping, but frequently the conflict manifests as a tense game of naval posturing. Officers from opposing vessels broadcast lengthy speeches over short-wave, peppered with technical legalese, practicing a unique "airwave diplomacy".
Sustaining the Outposts
The documentary's name highlights the critical efforts by the Filipino military to transport essentials to isolated garrisons in the West Philippine Sea where troops maintain a presence for long, solitary stretches. These "islands" are often just small accumulations of sand in shallow waters, no larger than a soccer field, reachable solely via speeding rubber dinghies.
The voyages are undoubtedly scary for the cargo of baby goats, which are shipped with canned goods and further materials. The film shows the creatures seeking for secure footing as the boats hurtle across the open water.
The Fishermen's Plight
The film also follows fishers living around the more populated Scarborough Shoal, who express concern over reduced harvests caused by the ongoing activity of foreign fishing vessels in their customary waters.
A Compelling Subject, Imperfect Execution
From a technical standpoint, the documentary suffers a bit from a at times meandering pacing and a musical score that can feel overly tacky, amplifying the dramatic moments. Nevertheless, it is ultimately a fascinating exploration of a maritime conflict that is rarely covered beyond Asia.
