Indian sex trafficking film gives voice to 'voiceless girls'

[rooster59]

Indian sex trafficking film gives voice to 'voiceless girls'

By Hanna Rantala

 

To research the experiences of women and girls sold into the sex trade, like the title character she plays in the film "Love Sonia", Mrunal Thakur met survivors in red light districts in Mumbai and Kolkata.

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Her role as a victim of sex trafficking was so harrowing that Mrunal Thakur almost backed out.

 

To research the experiences of women and girls sold into the sex trade, like the title character she plays in the film "Love Sonia", Thakur met survivors in red light districts in Mumbai and Kolkata.

 

In one brothel, she was shown beds that had been placed up on bricks. When she asked why, she was told it was so that children could be hidden underneath the bed while their mother was forced to serve clients.

 

"There were a couple of scenes which were really difficult... There was a point where I told Tabrez I can’t do it," Thakur says, referring to the film's director, Tabrez Noorani.

 

"He was like: 'Just remember the girls whom you met in Kolkata. And don’t you want to make sure that -- don't you want to do something good? If you can be the voice for these voiceless girls, even if one girl is saved after watching this film, don't you think that would be a great achievement?' And I was like: 'Yes.' So that's what kept me moving."

 

The film is the directorial debut for Noorani, a veteran producer with credits on major international films shot in India, such as Oscar-winner "Slumdog millionaire", "Life of Pi", "Eat Pray Love" and "The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel".

 

"All the directors that I have worked with, you know, the only advice that they would give me was your first film needs to be about something that you feel passionately about," he said.

 

He first stumbled on a story about sex trafficking and began doing research to make sure his film would be realistic. He found himself "sucked in" by the subject, Noorani said. "I feel like the subject found me."

 

He spent more than a decade investigating, eventually working with non-profit groups that help women escape from the trade. "We had rescued girls and set up girls in shelters and it was just a story that I felt very passionately about."

 

The film's cast includes Freida Pinto, who won global fame in "Slumdog Millionaire", Hollywood star Demi Moore and Bollywood actress Richa Chadda.

 

The response from moviegoers in India has been mixed so far. Chadda says many are still afraid of such a difficult subject.

 

"If a girl is abducted and even if she is found later chances are the family may not accept her back because it would bring her bad name in the village and in the community," she said. "It's a very uncomfortable truth for anybody in India to accept, but this is the truth."

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-01-26

[JRG23]

Will watch this for Freida Pinto. She is absolutely stunning.
 

[dpspike]

Oh sure. Rescue them from the trade after they have entered the UK, and of course you can't deport them back to India because might cause stigma for their family. 

 

For every girl kidnapped into the sex trade, I'm betting there are 1000 that went willingly. Same thing happens in the US. After they get into the US, they start needing to be "rescued" and seek asylum as a "victim".

 

I knew a "working girl" in Los Angeles that did this. She was still hooking after she got her green card because the pay was a lot better than hooking for the snakehead. 

 

Maybe this also happens in UK, Australia, etc.

Edited January 27, 2019 by dpspike

[atyclb]

it is the subhuman bondage % that is despicable, a far cry from go go dancers with the best iphone calling the shots.

[Mavideol]

On 1/27/2019 at 10:50 AM, JRG23 said:

Will watch this for Freida Pinto. She is absolutely stunning.
 

agree but only if she's naked....

[Mavideol]

On 1/27/2019 at 11:09 AM, dpspike said:

Oh sure. Rescue them from the trade after they have entered the UK, and of course you can't deport them back to India because might cause stigma for their family. 

 

For every girl kidnapped into the sex trade, I'm betting there are 1000 that went willingly. Same thing happens in the US. After they get into the US, they start needing to be "rescued" and seek asylum as a "victim".

 

I knew a "working girl" in Los Angeles that did this. She was still hooking after she got her green card because the pay was a lot better than hooking for the snakehead. 

 

Maybe this also happens in UK, Australia, etc.

I knew one in L.A back in the 80 (maybe it was thee same one....lol) she got married and kept doing the same job because she became addicted to it, I asked why and she said it's like a drug

[from the home of CC]

imho I don't see ANY woman doing this as a 'choice", if other choices were available..

[BritManToo]

20 minutes ago, Mavideol said:

agree but only if she's naked....

#MeToo

[Mavideol]

1 minute ago, from the home of CC said:

imho I don't see ANY woman doing this as a 'choice", if other choices were available..

you would be surprised as I was.... get out there and ask

[BritManToo]

2 minutes ago, from the home of CC said:

imho I don't see ANY woman doing this as a 'choice", if other choices were available..

Have you tried working 10hrs in a rice field or assembly line factory?

[Mavideol]

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

#MeToo

you dirty mind man...lol

[from the home of CC]

Just now, Mavideol said:

you would be surprised as I was.... get out there and ask

Sorry, not doubting you that you asked, I just don't think you were given the truth. What are they going to say " I hate being laid upon by a slobbering senior citizen" ? Wouldn't be too good for business, don't you think?

[Mavideol]

1 minute ago, from the home of CC said:

Sorry, not doubting you that you asked, I just don't think you were given the truth. What are they going to say " I hate being laid upon by a slobbering senior citizen" ? Wouldn't be too good for business, don't you think?

I did say something like that but she show me the $$$ sign and she could close her eyes for 5 minutes and imagine she was somewhere else