Human trafficking is not an attractive topic. It’s a topic that breathes fear and exhales suffering. A topic that is not discussed across mainstream media quite possibly because of it. Yes, we’re busy fixing our broken health care system and fighting the H1N1 virus. But 300,000 women and children exploited for sex in our country deserves a headline story (or even a story link) on the homepage of cnn.com. Excuse me Jon and Kate plus 8, but it is time to go. Let’s wake up, America, and start clicking on the issues and topics that deserve attention and action.

Every individual, every group, has an issue they stand and fight for. For filmmaker Libby Spears, she has devoted almost 10 years uncovering the sex traffic industry in lesser developed countries like the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. What she found out while filming there is that the United States is actually “influencing the global demand and growth of the sex trafficking industry.” That not only is human trafficking for sex apparent in less developed countries, but it is also “every bit as real in North America.”

After Spears’ discovery, she started filming “Playground,” which follows the story of victims in America and examines the United States’ influence by interviewing activists and experts in this field.

“Wherever drugs are being sold, children are being sold.” Eileen Jacobs, FBI

A special screening of this film will be presented by Dallas Women in Film and the Dallas Women’s Foundation on November 5th, 2009.

The event will be held at Studio Movie Grill – Royal Location, and begins at 6:30pm, 7pm screening followed by Q&A with director Libby Spears.

Studio Movie Grill
studiomoviegrill.com

11170 N. Central Expressway
Dallas, TX 75243
214 361 2966
Get Directions

The first 80 people to RSVP will be admitted for free. RSVP to Sherri Galbraith at [email protected] or 214-525-5301.

Thereafter, tickets are $5 for members and SMU students and $8 for nonmembers.

Buy Tickets

Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery that affects both Americans and foreigners, according to Children At Risk, the Houston-based advocacy and research center. It affects everyone, but women and children are its most vulnerable victims. And while human trafficking is a relatively unknown issue, Texas has become a hub for the international crime because of its interstate highways, bus stations, airports, shipping, a large amount of sexually oriented businesses, and its shared border with Mexico.

Film still from "Playground"

Spears’ “Playground” is a hard-hitting, investigative look at the sex trade and human trafficking in the United States. She tempers hard-hitting facts and stark statistics with innovative animation and a thoughtful soundtrack, including music by Bjork, Radiohead, Chris Martin, Blonde Redhead, Cat Power, Sigur Rós, CocoRosie, Basement Jaxx, DJ Shadow, and Kazu Makino.

Nonprofits are invited to purchase blocks of tickets at the discounted member price. For more information, please email [email protected] or [email protected].

The screening is also brought to you in part by the SMU Department of Cinema.

Directed by:
Libby Spears

Artwork by:
Yoshitomo Nara

Animation by:
Heather Bursch

Edited by:
Oreet Rees

Executive Produced by:
George Clooney
Grant Heslov
Steven Soderbergh
Abby Disney
Lauren & Gayle Embrey
Jeff Vespa

Produced by:
Martha Adams
David de Rothschild
Libby Spears
Arden Wohl
Julia Ormond
Devon Schneider
Stefan Nowiki

Oh, and from the playgroundproject.com website, here are 2 things you can do right now:

1. Refer 3 friends to the website to watch the trailer
2. Donate, and support their efforts to inform and educate

If you know someone who is being trafficked or sexually exploited, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-3737-888.

Resources:

• Chick Flicks Series Final Screening – Nov. 5
• Tribeca ‘09 Interview: “Playground” Director Libby Spears (Discovery Section)