Is there a particular documentary film or filmmaker that had a major influence on your career?
Terence Malick
What motivated you to make this film?
We wanted to explore some of the under-reported themes related to sex trafficking, and in particular the economics of recovery.
Please tell us what camera(s) you shot with primarily – and any other special equipment that you used and why you used it.
Sony HDR-FX7
Please tell us about any special styles or techniques that you used during the production of your film to help tell your story.
We used an EyeDirect for every interview
How did your story evolve from day one, to the very last day in post? Is your story what you thought it would be?
Our stories always evolve, as we develop deeper connections and understanding with our story subjects.
Please describe the most rewarding experience you had while making this film.
The reactions to the film of pride and satisfaction from the story subjects themselves.
What advice can you give to other impact filmmakers?
Listen to and honor your story subjects through every phase of production. Take risks. Read good literature.
What’s your favorite part about the filmmaking process and why?
Seeing a story subject share things they did not know they would say.
What’s the one item you always take with you when working out in the field and why?
Headphones and a dozen curated playlists of compositional ambient music.
Please share a personal story about your experience making this film.
The interviews in this film took a great deal of important effort to set up. In this context, we believe in a trauma-informed filmmaking process, where the story subjects have full agency and choice at every step of the production. We had to bridge cultures, language, and economic status. In the end, the courage and generosity of the story subjects made this film possible.
What do you want audiences to take away from your film?
Inspiration and curiosity.
Please list key points that should be covered in a post-screening discussion:
What really drives the sexual exploitation and trafficking industries. Is recovery from sex trafficking possible? What are the economics of recovery? If people fall into sexual exploitation because (in part) of poverty, can long-term, sustainable employment be a solution?
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