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Filmmaker Baby Ruth Villarama and her crew board a variety of maritime vessels to document the ongoing strife and its impacts between the Philippine nation and China over control of the newly designated West Philippine Sea. These waters, recognized by most nations outside of China as within the Philippines' EEZ, has seen escalating incursions by Chinese maritime forces. Among them are fishing boats, many are Chinese coast guard ships that have been accused of harassing, collided with, and attempted to board Filipino boats as part of the broader sovereignty dispute.

Certain scenes are undeniably tense, but frequently the conflict takes the form of a diplomatic dance of maritime bluster. Crews aboard opposing vessels deliver impassioned declarations, laden with legal jargon, creating a form of radio diplomacy.

Resupply at the Front Lines

The film's title points to the ongoing mission by the Philippine army to resupply foodstuffs to isolated garrisons in the West Philippine Sea where personnel are stationed for long, solitary stretches. These "islands" are often mere dollops of sand in shallow waters, no larger than a sports field, approachable just with high-speed inflatable boats.

These trips prove evidently terrifying for the young animals on board, which are loaded alongside preserved supplies and other necessities. The film shows the goats struggling for better balance as the vessels zoom across the rolling sea.

Voices from the Shoal

The film also follows communities around the more populated Scarborough Shoal, who voice complaints over reduced harvests attributed to the persistent presence of foreign fishing vessels in their traditional fishing grounds.

Fascinating Topic, Flawed Presentation

Critically speaking, the documentary suffers a bit from a slightly disjointed narrative approach and a musical score that can feel overly tacky, overemphasizing the tense scenes. Yet, it stands as a compelling examination of a geopolitical issue that gets scant attention beyond Asia.