Modern slavery encompasses a range of exploitative practices that occur even today, in every corner of the globe, often hidden in plain sight. This includes human trafficking, forced labor, debt bondage, forced marriage, and other forms of exploitation. Films about modern slavery aim to shed light on these often-hidden issues, telling the stories of victims, survivors, and those fighting against these human rights abuses. They aim not just to inform, but to evoke empathy and prompt action against these ongoing injustices.
“Taken”, 2007
Director: Pierre Morel
Though primarily an action-thriller, “Taken” delves into the dark world of human trafficking as a former CIA operative tracks down his kidnapped daughter. The film highlights the international nature of the trafficking industry and the challenges in combating it.
Starring: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Olivier Rabourdin, Leland Orser, Xander Berkeley, Holly Valance, Jon Gries, David Warshofsky, Gérard Watkins;
Production year: 2007;
Genre: action, thriller, crime;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 90 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Taken” on the website imdb.com
“Trade”, 2007
Director: Marco Kreuzpaintner
This film exposes the global trade of human trafficking, focusing on the abduction of a young girl from Mexico and her brother's desperate attempts to rescue her. It reveals the horrifying realities and scale of human trafficking, aiming to bring attention to this form of modern slavery.
Starring: Kevin Kline, Cesar Ramos, Alicja Bachleda, Paulina Gaitan, Marco Pérez, Linda Emond, Zack Ward, Kate del Castillo, Tim Reid, Pavel Lychnikoff;
Production year: 2007;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Trade” on the website imdb.com
“Slumdog Millionaire”, 2008
Director: Danny Boyle, Loveleen Tandan
While it's a rags-to-riches story at its heart, “Slumdog Millionaire” also touches on issues of child exploitation and forced labor in India, shedding light on the grim realities faced by children in slums.
Starring: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Anil Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla, Mahesh Manjrekar, Irfan Khan, Madhur Mittal, Raj Zutshi, Jeneva Talwar, Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail;
Production year: 2008;
Genre: crime, drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “Slumdog Millionaire” on the website imdb.com
“The Whistleblower”, 2010
Director: Larysa Kondracki
Based on a true story, this film follows a United Nations peacekeeper in post-war Bosnia who uncovers a human trafficking ring and faces great personal risk in her quest to expose it. The movie starkly portrays the complicity and corruption that can pervade international institutions.
Starring: Rachel Weisz, Vanessa Redgrave, Monica Bellucci, David Strathairn, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Roxana Condurache, Paula Schramm, Benedict Cumberbatch, Alexandru Potocean, William Hope;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: drama, crime, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 112 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “The Whistleblower” on the website imdb.com
“Beasts of No Nation”, 2015
Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga
Though focusing on the broader issue of child soldiers in Africa, “Beasts of No Nation” also deals with themes of forced labor and exploitation. The story is a harrowing look at how children are coerced and manipulated into participating in conflicts.
Starring: Abraham Attah, Idris Elba, Emmanuel Affadzi, Ricky Adelayita, Andrew Adote, Vera Nyarkoah Antwi, Ama K. Abebrese, Kobina Amissah-Sam, Francis Weddey, Fred Amagi;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: drama, war, history;
Duration: 137 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Beasts of No Nation” on the website imdb.com
“Priceless”, 2016
Director: Ben Smallbone
This American film addresses the topic of human trafficking through a story about a man who discovers he has transported two sisters into a trafficking ring. It evolves into a rescue mission, confronting the horrifying realities of sexual exploitation.
Starring: Joel Smallbone, Bianca A. Santos, David Koechner, Jim Parrack, Amber Midthunder, Travis Hammer, Luce Rains, Sarah Minnic, Sierra Rose Smith, Ines France Ware, Cru Ennis, Jodi Lynn Thomas, Lora Cunningham, Miguel Martinez, Kristen DeVore Rakes, Kevin Wiggins, Robyn Reede, Chris Ranney, Tommy Truex, Vic Browder, Katherine Neff, Hank Rogerson, Vincent E. McDaniel, Steve Weir, Ian Troy, Diana Gaitirira, Derek Blakeney, Cory J. Broussard, Marika Day, Lorena Fernández, Charlene Fox, Michael Benjamin Kirby, Jonathan Lund, Francisco Peramos, Kelly Petry, Daniel Pimentel, Sale Taylor;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: thriller, drama, melodrama, crime;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 97 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6;
More information about the film “Priceless” on the website imdb.com
These films, while difficult to watch, are crucial in understanding the multiple dimensions of modern slavery. They remind viewers that such exploitation is not a relic of the past but a present-day battle for human rights and dignity.
In examining the gamut of films about modern slavery, it becomes imminently clear how the medium of cinema possesses the profound ability to not only illuminate the darkest corners of human existence but also to invoke deep empathy and inspire action. Through a diverse tapestry of narratives, from the brutal exploitation depicted in “12 Years a Slave” to the harrowing child labor stories in “Slumdog Millionaire,” filmmakers have adeptly used their craft to mirror society's most grievous failures and the resilience of the human spirit in face of such adversities. These films serve not merely as a window to unseen worlds but as a mirror reflecting back our collective complicity and responsibility. In their haunting portrayals of pain and survival, they underline the urgent need for awareness, dialogue, and change. As society evolves, so too does the nature of modern slavery, and cinema remains an indispensable chronicler of this ongoing, complex struggle, urging us toward a future where freedom is not a privilege but a fundamental right for all.
