Sold

Just viewed this film at the 18th Sonoma International Film Festival where it won the Audience Award for Best Feature Film. It is a terribly difficult film to watch as the subject matter -- the forced prostitution of a very young Nepali girl into a brothel in Calcutta, India -- is excruciating. But the film is made with love -- the young girl shares humanity with others caught in these circumstances, befriends a little boy who is a child of one of the other prostitutes, is protected by another captive……i.e. the human experience in all its squalor and splendor. Seeing the film in a festival environment was a great gift as the Q&A with some of the principals following the presentation made clear that this is not just a third world problem: we have this same problem right here in our own back yard. A friend has already begun a circle of women here in Sonoma to reach out to young women who are being used as slave prostitutes in our supposedly sublime county. The power of film to change lives! Bravo!

Seeing sex trafficking through the eyes of a once innocent girl can mobilize people and nations to stop it - that's the belief that drives this astonishing movie deep into your heart. Along the way, it slays myths: that girls and women face these dangers willingly and deserve only shame; that trading money for sex is no crime, and that the damage of sexual slavery can ever be undone. Anyone who has witnessed this searing movie will know better.

When we first meet 13-year-old Lakshmi, a bright, spirited, shyly beautiful Nepalese girl growing up in a remote mountain village, she seems far from danger. Loved by a mother who knows only self-sacrifice, Lakshmi seems destined for more. She's in school, works hard, but likes what young girls like – her kite, toe rings, sweet cakes, music, and dancing.

We see trouble, too - her stepfather drinks and gambles; her mother's prayers are no match for his addictions. We know that other village families have tin roofs, and that Lakshmi's family needs one. So begins a tale with no end.

Be brave and watch this movie. Pass it on by helping to fund SOLD's distribution. Be bolder still and help end the cycle – one life, one law, one nation at a time.

Sold is an excellent movie that discusses the issues of human trafficking in South Asia through following the story of one young girl.

While at times it was hard to watch due to the nature of the scenes and the age of the actors, it opened my eyes to a reality that is happening to millions of people everyday.

Shot in Nepal and India the beauty of the landscapes contrasts with the horrors of the storyline (however, there are some light hearted scenes to give the audience a break).

This movie does more that just tell a story it is a vehicle for change as it sheds a light on one of the biggest human rights issues of our time : Human trafficking.

I flew for a major airline for 35 years, I am now 79 years old. As in the Johnny Cash song, I have been everywhere, well most everywhere.

One of our destinations was Bombay, India now known as Mumbai. In the early 1970's, I was able to fly there with my seniority as a copilot. Bombay was full of interesting things to visit and see. The red light district was known as "The Cages", You could walk one of the major streets which bordered The Cages. I knew what the business was that was going on inside but I never understood the reality of the business until I saw the movie "SOLD". I am so happy that some people made this movie and that I was able to see it before I am no longer around. Thank You for the movie.

I loved this movie! It is an eye opening story of human trafficking told about one girl whom is sold into slavery but brings to light the prevalence of this tragedy in India and throughout the world.

Some of the scenes are tough to see but are realistic to what these children and women go through in reality. You could not make such a great movie about such a tough subject without showing some of the horrors that these women and children go through. It is filmed in India and Nepal with fantastic location shots. There are some very heart warming scenes that remind you these are just children.

After seeing this film you will want to get involved in some way to stop human trafficking. This is a must see movie! Don't miss this eyeopening film!