UPDATED with trailer and release date: Freestyle Digital Media released the first trailer and set a release date for April 11th The new abolitionists, a documentary about the movement to end the sex trade in Southeast Asia, directed by Christina Zorich and produced by her mother, the late Olympia Dukakis. Watch the trailer above and a clip and new poster below.
ADVANCE EXCLUSIVE: The photo premiered in Santa Monica on October 21st as part of Kat Kramer’s Films That Change the World, an international theater series featuring films and documentaries that raise awareness of important social issues. The premiere kicked off a week-long Oscar qualifying run The new abolitionists at Laemmle Monica, with all ticket proceeds going to anti-trafficking organizations featured in the documentary.
In The new abolitionists, “Zorich travels to Southeast Asia to investigate why and how the sex trade thrives in the world’s most trafficked region,” according to a release about the documentary. “She follows four Christian ministries and NGOs fighting this criminal industry to investigate the issues behind it, while providing a platform for victims and their allies to speak up for themselves, shed light on problems and find solutions that can… Survivors and their allies share their individual stories and why they have chosen to dedicate their lives to rescue, rehabilitation and prevention.”
The film is the culmination of Zorich’s seven-year journey documenting the abolitionists fighting to end the sex trade in Cambodia, Thailand and elsewhere. [Watch an exclusive clip below].
“With this film, I wanted not only to expose the causes of human trafficking, but also to show practical solutions,” Zorich said in a statement. “I hope that learning from these courageous abolitionists will inspire others to join the fight in any way they can.”
The new abolitionists is one of the final credits in the extraordinary career of Dukakis, the Oscar-winning star of struck by the moonwho died in May 2021 at the age of 89. Freestyle Digital Media, a branch of Byron Allen’s media and entertainment empire, plans to release the documentary in early 2023.
Following today’s premiere, Kramer will moderate a panel discussion with Zorich, as well as cast, crew and anti-trafficking experts, including Annie Dieselberg, CEO and founder of Night Light International; Cory Nickols, Destiny Rescue USA senior director of strategic partnerships; landon satterfield, The new abolitionists editor/story consultant; Craig Martin, filmmaker/TV producer, and Jason Page, a pioneering anti-trafficking activist.
Kramer, the daughter of legendary director and producer Stanley Kramer, will soon be launching #SHERO’sForChange Film festival where she presents documentaries on women’s emancipation, mainly by women filmmakers.
The new abolitionists Directed by Christina Zorich; Zorich also serves as executive producer. Producers are Susannah Barnes and Olympic Dukakis. The authors are Zorich, Laura Spaeth, Landon Satterfield and Andrea Valentine.
In the clip below, women from the Shine Cambodia charity encourage at-risk girls to appreciate their worth as human beings.
Source: Deadline
Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
