Asian Actors Lend Voices to Human Trafficking Film
FrontLines - August 2009
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Dulok, a trafficker from the animated film “Intersection”
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A trafficking victim forced to work in a brothel
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Beijing—Film stars Zhang Hanyu, Yuan Quan, and Su You Peng said their concern about young people being duped by human traffickers compelled them to record the Mandarin version of “Intersection,” an animated
film about trafficking and sexual exploitation. Produced by the MTV Foundation with support
from USAID, the film premiered
in June on MTV China.
Celebrities, artists, governmental
and non-governmental organizations,
and a contingent from the international press attended the screening at the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, in Beijing’s 798 Art District. The event was part of the Asia-wide MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) campaign.
“I hope this animated film stirs meaningful discussions among young people about how we can fight this form of modern-
day slavery,” said Zhang,
named best actor for “The Assembly” at the 2008 Golden Horse Awards.
The acting trio told a packed house at the premier that young people must become more aware about the dangers of human trafficking.
“We’re using a different medium, animation, to alert young people about the risks of human trafficking,” said Olivier Carduner, who heads USAID’s regional office for Asia in Bangkok. “It adds to the body of work—documentaries, music videos, film shorts, concert
specials, and public service announcements—that MTV and USAID have produced to reach potential victims and to promote law enforcement and victim outreach
efforts.”
“Intersection” is told from the perspectives of five people who are part of the trafficking chain. Actors from throughout Asia are recording different versions of “Intersection” in their native languages.
In the new release, Zhang plays Dulok, a trafficker; Yuan is cast as a young trafficking
victim forced to work in a brothel; and Su portrays a young man who pays for sex.
“I hope a lot of young people,
especially women, watch this program and understand that anyone can be a victim of sex trafficking,” said Yuan, whose films include “Like a Dream” and “Shanghai Rumba.”
Projects like “Intersection” are a novel way to raise young people’s awareness and prevent human trafficking and exploitation,
said MTV EXIT Campaign Director Simon Goff. “The broadcast
of ‘Intersection’ on MTV channels and other broadcasters across Asia will help young people
avoid the dangers of human trafficking,” he said.★
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Zhang Hanyu, Yuan Quan, and Su You Peng lent their voices to the Mandarin version of “Intersection,” a USUSAID-supported animated film about human trafficking.
| MTV EXIT has reached tens of millions of people since its documentaries “Traffic” and “Sold” were launched in Asia in 2007 with USAID support. The campaign is on air, online, and on the ground. MTV EXIT has partnered with more than 100 local and international NGOs across the Asia Pacific region to raise awareness about human trafficking. Get more information and download the latest film, “Intersection,” in Mandarin and English for free at www.mtvexit.org. |
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