THE GIRL FROM THE BROTHEL
DIRECTED
BY ILARIA BORRELLI
COMING
TO DVD & ON DEMAND ON APRIL 25
LOS ANGELES, CA (April 12, 2017) Inspired by New York
Times journalist Nicholas Kristof’s series on child sex trafficking in
Cambodia, Italian director Ilaria Borrelli (The Washing Machine, Our
Italian Husband) developed her third feature, THE GIRL FROM THE
BROTHEL. The film, which tell the story of a woman who catches her
husband paying for sex with an eleven-year-old girl, was released in
Italy and France on over 200 screens with the support of European
non-governmental organizations such as Ecpat, Signis, Amnesty France and
Karitas. It will now find its North American audience through home
theater options (DVD & On Demand) and screening events starting April
25, 2017, distributed by Cinema Libre Studio.
Filmed entirely in Cambodia and partially set in the
notorious Svay Pak neighborhood outside of Phnom Penh, the film shares
the journey of Mia, a Parisian photographer (played by Borrelli), who
sells her own body to pay for the freedom of a girl, Srey. With two other
girls who stow away in their truck, they embark on a cross country
journey to return the girls to their homes, and in doing so, witness the
country’s environmental exploitation, poverty and desperation, the kind
of that would drive families to sell their children into slavery.
Borrelli says, “I’ve been following certain
organizations that deal with violence against children for years. I was
struck by Nicholas Kristof’s undercover work in Cambodia. With a hidden
camera, he captured children under 10 years old, offering him oral sex
for 5 dollars and telling him that if he didn’t like it he didn’t have to
pay. I felt such rage, and such pain and indignation on behalf of the
human race. How can there be people willing to incarcerate children and
force them to have sex with, in some cases, 20 men a day? It’s
unimaginable, and yet it happens. Writing is the only way I can deal with
that shock and that disgust: putting the pain black on white. And then
making a movie out of that becomes an obsession, maybe because no other
art form can transmit emotions as powerfully as film.”
The narrative feature was an official selection at
several international festivals and won Best Film at the Women's
International Film Festival Miami and Los Angeles Women's International
Film Festival for its gritty and honest storytelling. The film screened
two times at the United Nations in Geneva, for King Albert and Queen
Paola of Belgium at the European Parliament and at the Italian Parliament.
Following the Italian Parliament screening, a law was passed
that guarantees the protection and reception of unaccompanied foreign
minors.
Borrelli’s directorial debut (Our Italian Husband,
2004) featured Brooke Shields and Chevy Chase. She is also and
accomplished actress in Italy and a prolific author.
Synopsis: Mia, a successful
Paris-based photographer, bored by her comfortable, middle-class
existence, flies to Cambodia to surprise her businessman husband, Xavier,
with plans of convincing him to start the family with her that she has
always wanted.
But her hope for a romantic rendezvous is dashed when
she spies her husband in a brothel having sex with an eleven year-old
girl named Srey. Mia, her world turned completely upside down,
resolves to rescue Srey and return her to the remote village from where she
was abducted. Mia strikes a repulsive bargain with Sanan, the brothel
owner, and sacrifices her own body to a high-powered government official
in order to liberate the little girl. She and Srey then embark on the
long journey home.
However, Mia discovers that Srey has stowed away Daa
and Malin, two other young escapees from the brothel. They had also
stolen money from Sanan and Mia realizes that they, too, will be hunted
down. Torn by the sudden additional responsibility, Mia reluctantly
agrees to help all three children return to their separate villages
spread across the Cambodian jungle.
Under constant threat from their pursuers, Mia and the
girls embark on a perilous escape to freedom and, along the way, are
reminded that there is still much to celebrate in life.
Written and Directed by: Ilaria
Borrelli
Produced by: Guido Freddi
Cinematography: David Vlasits
Editors: Marie Castro, Eric
Heinrich, Emanuele Muscolino
Cast: Ilaria Borrelli, Philippe
Caroit, Setha Moniroth, Yang Sreypich, Kiri Sovann, Sen Somnag
Distributor: Cinema Libre
Studio
Release Date: April 25, 2017 (DVD and
On Demand - Amazon Instant and Vimeo)
The 411:
It was a difficult movie to watch. As a child of sexual abuse it kills me that thousands of children are SOLD as sex slaves. Children under the age of 15! They are often sold by their family for a small profit or for the promise of a better life somewhere else. It is the disgusting truth and horrifies me that people want this and that these losers live in the world with their children.
In this movie Mia (played by the director and writer Ilaria) heads to Cambodia to surprise her husband but is the one who is surprised when she spots him being "serviced" by a child! She spends the rest of the movie trying to help Srey and other girls gain their freedom and get them back to their families while escaping the thugs and deviants that make money off these children.
The sad truth is that this isn't just a mindless movie to entertain and make you think. This is really going on. It is the sad, horrific, ugly reality of many children who are sold as sex slaves. There are real children living in these stark, dirty, rubbish filled streets lined with shanty shacks. There are families who have either sold or had their children kidnapped so others can make money off their innocence. Ilaria and the child actors showed a lot of heart. My heart ached for them as they searched for news of their families and in one case was refused by her family because she was dirty now and the village would run the family out of they allowed their child back in.
This movie is one that made me hug my children just a little tighter as I prayed that they will never personally know the hardship of so many children in the world as well as wish I could take every child who is crying and feels alone into my arms and make them feel safe and loved!
LINK TO PRESS RELEASE
DVD DETAILS:
TRT: 88 mins. | AUDIO 5.1
| RATIO 16:9
SRP: $19.95 | CLS12541 | UPC
88139412412
LANGUAGE: Emglish, Khmer
RATING: Not Rated
GENRE: Drama
REGION: NTSC All Regions
BONUS FEATURES
· Trailers
· 15-minute featurette - Behind the Scenes
· Music Video –“Moon Eyes”
· Closed Captioning
ABOUT CINEMA LIBRE: Cinema Libre Studio is a
full-service mini-studio known for producing and distributing high
concept feature films and social impact documentaries.
Headquartered in the Los Angeles area, the team has released over 200
films.
Available on VOD or To Purchase:
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary product for my honest opinion. My reviews are 100% honest and true based on my personal opinion not on a company’s description or request. I am not employed by any company I review for. No monetary compensation was received. |
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