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February 21, 2008

Trade: Brilliant film about sex trafficking

Unrelated to my research, I recently met a teen activist from a local high school. She runs a student group called "Students Against Human Trafficking." Tonight, her group put together a screening of the 2007 film Trade at a local movie theater, followed by a discussion with the producer.

Now, I watch a lot of film and I pay attention to what's coming out that deals with serious matters, but I was completely unaware of this film. And yet, it was stunning. Heartbreaking, moving, jawdropping. Unfortunately, the film was only released in 25 cities, was not advertised, and was pulled two weeks after release so most people who should see it didn't. Gosh darn it, I hate when the studios get cagey about serious films and fail to actually promote them like they should. Anyhow, the film is now on DVD and I want to encourage everyone to see it. It's haunting, but definitely worth it. And it will definitely make you think.

"Trade" depicts the global dynamic of sex trafficking, focusing on the role that American demand plays in the perpetuation of this insidious business. The film centers on the story of a young Mexican boy who is on the edge of becoming a thug himself when his younger sister is abducted and trafficked, eventually to be sold through an Internet sex slave auction. Through luck, he ends up running into a cop (Kevin Kline) who is trying to make sense of this business and reluctantly agrees to help him find his sister. Weaving together the stories of people who are abducted or experience the emotional devastation of sex trafficking, this film is a brilliant although disturbing portrait of a real life criminal business. An absolutely must-see. Haunting, yet important.

If you'd prefer a more serious approach to this horrific topic, I also recommend checking out the PBS documentary on Lives For Sale. (My cousin-in-law was involved in the production of this piece.) This film steps back to think about the dark side of illegal immigration and the black market trade in human beings.

Category: gender & sexuality

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Posted by zephoria at February 21, 2008 11:49 PM | TrackBack

Comments (6)

Badger Gravling:

I haven't seen Trade, but a film about the same subject which haunted me is Lilya 4-Ever by Swedish director Lukas Moodyson.
It's based around an Estonian girl, and takes quite an emotional commitment to make it through to the end...

Posted by Badger Gravling | February 22, 2008 1:38 AM

Posted on February 22, 2008 01:38

Sarah:

I has a different cover, but it's available on Netflix to those who want to add it to their queue. I did and we'll see how I react when it comes next week. Thanks for the suggestion!

Posted by Sarah | February 22, 2008 9:55 AM

Posted on February 22, 2008 09:55

Simon Garcia:

It's a really good movie.

Posted by Simon Garcia | February 25, 2008 9:32 PM

Posted on February 25, 2008 21:32

amy.leblanc:

also added to my netflix queue. thx for the heads up.

Posted by amy.leblanc | February 25, 2008 10:25 PM

Posted on February 25, 2008 22:25

Ms. Herr:

I'm a big fan of movies, all genres or mostly all genres, tho I have fallen out of my usual movie going and renting habits of late. But I made a special trip to Blockbuster this weekend after reading your review. A powerful movie. Though perhaps most of us rarely find ourselves in situations where the stakes are so high, it shows us how murky the waters of personal and societal ethics can be. The things we do without thinking of their consequences until they touch us. The commoditization of sex as the con to hustle a man, then to have a loved one fall victim to trafficking. The justice system's tenuous balance between the greater good and a sole victim. Ethical and moral beliefs are always in flux. We think we're done when we draw our lines in the sand, but forget, or perhaps consciously neglect, the grains that are so frequently displaced by the wind.

Thank you for the recommendation.

Posted by Ms. Herr | February 26, 2008 9:19 AM

Posted on February 26, 2008 09:19

tiara:

I wonder if this movie was released here in the philippines? I think it's a must see for us filipinos or for any other country belonging to the 'third world', considering that trafficking is quite rampant in these parts of the world.

Posted by tiara | February 29, 2008 1:48 AM

Posted on February 29, 2008 01:48

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