Help us reach our target in making this film and help make a difference to the plight of many around the world.

About the Film

The film focuses not on the political issue of human trafficking, but on the human aspect. My Name is Sorrow will give the viewer the opportunity for that human response. By not focusing on the political, global aspects of trafficking, nor sensationalising it with graphic details of abuse, we will focus on the thoughts of one woman, locked away in a room by her 'owners'.

The set is minimal to say the least - with subtle changes in the lighting to suggest different times of the day - the film with around 6mins of intimate scripted talk will cover a whole day in the life of 'Sorrow'. It will be shot in black and white so that the focus is on the character and not trying to discern her whereabouts, for she is anywhere and everywhere. Her thoughts move from anger and guilt to daring for a sight of redemption. In stripping the production bare we allow nothing peripheral to get in the way of the viewer's concentrated gaze on this woman. Sorrow ends by making a silent appeal to the audience. How we respond is of course up to us!

The film has been endorsed by the UK Charity, Unchosen. The Charity raises awareness of human trafficking through film festivals and campaigns. Our film will help provide a new context for this story of human exploitation.

CAST & CREW

• 'Sorrow' played by Natasha Paulinyi
• Written, Directed and Produced by Geoff Hall
• Director of Photography: Tim Woodford
• Lighting by Nick Pitt of Farm Studios
• Production Stills by Geoff Crawford of Funkimages
• Graphic design by Chris Lorensson
• Music by Charlie Groves and The Blackthorn Project

The Premiere

We are excited to announce that the Premiere will be at the Bristol Mshed on Saturday June 9th. Invitations will be available for the supporters of the film on our Facebook page. The evening will be a fundraiser for two charities Unchosen and Unseen

After this event, we'll be making the film available for download through Smugmug.com

Please spread the word on Twitter and Facebook to your friends and followers. Thanks, Geoff.

Video coverage

Human Trafficking: warning, contains graphic images youtube.com/watch?v=VZTN0TbsRYA

An Interview with Ken Loach after the showing of his film 'It's a Free World…' at the Unchosen Film Festival in Bristol, 2008. youtube.com/watch?v=vbaNGdK1BFs

Human trafficking

Trafficking is a global problem, not just a UK or European one. It is estimated by the UN to be a $7 billion per annum industry which effects between 700,000 and 4 million women and children. The scale of this alone is daunting and perhaps difficult to engage with, when asked for a personal response.

Victims of trafficking face numerous violations of their human rights, including: rape, torture, forced abortions, starvation along with threats of torturing or murdering family members.

It was recorded by TEAM, the Tolerance, Equality Awareness Movement that, In August 2001, soldiers with the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Eritrea were purchasing ten-year-old girls for sex in local hotels.

The UN involvement in this industry will be capturing our imagination later this year with a Rachel Weisz film, 'The Whistleblower', which follows the story of UN whistleblower Kathryn Bolkovac. Read The Guardian interview.

It is regrettable when a peace-keeping force engages in the exploitation of those who are most vulnerable. Not only is the scale of the problem daunting, but the political web around it. We can I feel, lose ourselves and the will to act in this kind of complexity; hence we will undertake a different approach with 'My Name is Sorrow'.

Production & Progress

We are thrilled to announce that the actress to play the role of ‘Sorrow’ is Natasha Paulinyi. Natasha excited us with her interpretation of the script and the intensity of her performance.

The shooting of the film has been completed along with Post-Production.

About Unchosen

Unchosen is an anti-trafficking charity promoting human trafficking film campaigns nationwide. Through film, documentaries, interviews and Q&As, Unchosen raises awareness about domestic servitude, forced labour, child and sex trafficking happening here in the UK.

Unchosen works closely with film directors, anti-trafficking experts, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and volunteers to co-ordinate film campaigns in schools, universities and local communities. We create volunteer jobs to establish local campaigns to expose traffickers and rescue victims in order to stamp out 21st century slavery in the UK.

Check out unchosen.org.uk