A feature documentary giving a powerful and very personal glimpse into the world of human trafficking.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Ben Randall

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

After finding out my friends in Vietnam had been kidnapped, I went back to find out what happened to them, hoping to create a short film to raise awareness of a local human trafficking crisis. The story I got however, was much bigger than expected. Now, we have a very personal story of the complexities of human trafficking, finding two of my friends in China, and giving them the chance to return home. Millions of people are trafficked every year, and I want to help bring awareness to this issue.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Chances are if you're reading this, you're very lucky and might not have any personal connection to human trafficking. So let me ask: do you know what it's like to be sold into a life you never wanted? Do you know what it's like for the friends and families of those who go missing? Do you understand the complexities of human trafficking, and that sometimes friends and families are involved with selling their loved ones? If you answered no to any of these questions, you should watch this film. Help amplify the voice of millions who can't speak.

Sisters For Sale - Hundreds of girls are taken every year from Sapa and the surrounding region in Vietnam. These girls disappear without trace across the border to China where they are sold as brides, prostitutes, and sometimes for organs.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The themes are very relevant on personal and universal levels. If someone in your life was stolen, it would affect you. Human trafficking victims are commonly those in rural communities of ethnic minorities, i.e. those who don't have as loud of a voice and who can disappear unnoticed. It is the responsibility of those with a voice, those simply born into more fortunate situations, to rise up and speak for the atrocities occurring today.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?

The script has been rewritten a couple of times. I've had some great feedback and ideas on what the audience finds most interesting, and trying to elaborate on those parts of the story.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Everyone we've shared our story with has been very curious and concerned about the girls in Sapa, and have been enthusiastic to support us. There has been a lot of shock and a lot of questions, but also a lot of new understanding of the complexities of human trafficking. We recently released the first 40 minute of the film, and the feedback has been incredibly positive while leaving viewers with a better understanding of trafficking and the curiosity and responsibility to learn more.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

It's been great to hear the many questions people have after hearing our story or watching the film. This has helped us identify areas of the story where viewers are most interested. Because many people are uneducated on this issue, we haven't come across any challenges in our point of view.

Sisters For Sale - Sometimes girls are deceived by boyfriends, friends, and family members and sold across the border. Other times, girls are forcefully taken in broad daylight. This still is not a re-enactment. It's the real thing.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

Sisters For Sale is an incredible once-in-a-lifetime story, which we want the world to hear. Going back to a previous question, everyone we've encountered who has heard our story is incredibly moved, and we think that the audience at We Are Moving Stories will feel the same. We are looking to expand our audience and hopefully increase support for our film.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

We need all the help we can get to bring this story to the world. Once the film is complete, we'll be looking to run it through the festival circuit and are hoping for a distributor to pick up the film.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

We want people to be moved by our story and take action against human trafficking. We're trying to make people care about an issue which truly affects us all, enough to learn more about it and notice it in their day to day lives.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Hundreds of girls go missing from Sapa every year - why do they go missing and where do they go?

Sisters For Sale - Against all odds, two girls were located in China where they were married to a Chinese man and had a baby each. In this still, Ben is finally meeting M after hours of phone calls and piecing together her location. Her later gave her the opportunity to return home to Vietnam.

Would you like to add anything else?

We're also working on an on-the-ground educational program in the region this film takes place so that young women and their families don't have to experience the horrors of human trafficking. By supporting our film, you're also helping to eliminate a local human trafficking crisis.

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

We're still working on finishing Sisters For Sale - www.sistersforsale.com.

Interview: September 2016

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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Sisters For Sale

A feature documentary giving a powerful and very personal glimpse into the world of human trafficking

Length: 100 minutes

Director: Ben Randall

Producer: Ben Randall

Writer: Ben Randall

About the writer, director and producer:

My name's Ben Randall. I'm the founder of 'The Human, Earth Project' and producer of its feature-length documentary, 'Sisters For Sale'.

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): journalists, film festival directors, distributors

Funders: our supporters

Release date: Late 2017

Where can I watch it in the next month?

You can see the 40 minute version of the film at www.sistersforsale.com.