Film producer Conroy Kanter is on a mission to help eradicate modern-day slavery with her latest movie, “Trafficked,” starring Ashley Judd, Patrick Duffy, Elisabeth Röhm and Anne Archer.
Inspired by real characters from the award-winning book “Sex Trafficking” by Professor Siddharth Kara (one of the world’s foremost scholars and researchers on trafficking), the film tells the story of three girls from America, Nigeria and India. After being trafficked through an elaborate global network that also deals in drugs and human organs, all three end up as sex slaves in a brothel in Texas. Together, they attempt to escape and reclaim their freedom.
Kara also wrote the screenplay and Will Wallace directed the movie, which is harrowing at times. None of the film’s makers were inclined to shy away from the sexual, physical and mental abuse traffickers inflict on their victims to make them feel less than human.
As soon as Kanter finished reading Kara’s book and screenplay, she wanted to produce it.
“I knew this story needed a woman’s touch—mine,” she said. “As a woman and a mother, sometimes it felt like a black cloud was over my head. I couldn’t understand how human beings could be so heartless and cruel to other human beings. But then I thought about the characters in our film, based on actual individuals Professor Kara spoke with, and their stories needed to be told.”
Audience response has been positive and Kanter said many people have expressed a desire to help. Ambassadors at a special screening of “Trafficked” held at the United Nations this October gave the film a standing ovation.
“Having a screening in the Economic and Social Council Chamber hosted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime was truly an honor and a privilege,” Kanter said. “It was a rewarding experience to be so well received.”
The United States Justice Department estimates that 14,500 to 17,500 people are trafficked into the country every year, mostly around international travel hubs with large immigrant populations like California, Texas and Georgia. Millions of vulnerable girls worldwide are being ensnared by human traffickers into sex slavery and exploited to generate profits of more than $30 billion each year, according to the California Attorney General.
With the sexual assault of women making headlines and more A-list actresses lining up daily to accuse movie mogul Harvey Weinstein—among other notable actors, politicians and powerful men—of gross sexual misconduct, including rape, “Trafficked” has opened at a time when the sexualization of women and girls is of great concern.
“Trafficked” star Ashley Judd was one of Weinstein’s first accusers.
“Ashley Judd was exceptional and brave when given the choice to play the nice or not-so-nice character,” Kanter said. “I can’t spoil the movie, you’ll have to see for yourself, but she’s amazing.”
In Demand has just picked up video streaming rights and will start showing it in January, which also happens to be Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
Kanter raised her two children in Malibu.
“My son is a musician and is on tour with his band, Slow Hollows,” she said. “My daughter is in college and pursuing her career as an actress. They are both living their passion. I want all young people to have the same chance.”
For more information:
traffickedmovie.com
