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Trade (2007)

Director: Marco Kreuzpaintner

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From Time Out London

As the closing titles of ‘Trade’ inform us, over a million people are trafficked illegally each year. This is the story of one victim – 13-year-old Adriana (Paulina Gaitan), who is taken from the streets of Mexico City to be sold into sex slavery in the US – and her brother, Jorge (Cesar Ramos), who steals across the border to retrieve her.

As cinema, ‘Trade’ is flawed: the script is functional and the dry characters are hemmed in by the machinations of an unremarkable plot. The influence of ‘Traffic’ hangs heavy, too, with saturated colours and stylised editing. But, Kreuzpaintner’s English-language film is remarkably effective as agit-prop, tackling a challenging subject without flinching. He does a superb job exploring the tawdry banality of evil: these kidnappers transport their victims in rusted Transit vans to drab suburban homes, contrasting the relative comfort of ‘normal’ American lives with the unimaginable brutality facing a helpless minority. At times almost unwatchable, ‘Trade’ takes a hard look at realities most of us can’t bear to face.

Author: Tom Huddleston 2008-12-09 11:24:13

Time Out London Issue 1999, Dec 11 - 17, 2008

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User reviews of this film

Chamara said...

Posted on Feb 21 2008 02:35 Overall it's good film which discuss about sad side of human activities. The film goes over 2 hrs times with full pack of thrill. But I have bad & terrible comment on some part of this movie as which were the scenes used against Buddha. As Buddhist religious I strongly condemned that our Lord Buddha’s name used as a bidding member. It was so sad to see. I don’t think it was directly used for hit to Buddhist & Buddha’s view. But there are so many names available to use instead that Buddha’s name. It was very bad move. I’m waiting response for my comments.

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