Sex Traffic (2004) User Reviews (18)

Indeed a great movie.

[siderite · 9/10 · 3 June 2005]

I expected this movie to have won the BAFTA award only for showing a controversial subject and being a Romanian co-production, like a sympathy vote for our lesser movies. I was completely blown away after seeing it. It was a film where international actors (american, British, Romanian being the most) created realistic scenes, completely believable and inspiring. Great script, directing and acting.

What is this movie about? It's about the ultimate feeling of helplessness. The characters all feel it at some time or the other and certainly the viewers do. As young girls are hauled away through Eastern and Western Europe, the viewer is raped as they are in that comfy belief that human society is nice, modern and evolved.

It is one of those few movies that make you feel sick inside, without being gory or too graphic. Is it a global conspiracy to blame for the evil depicted in the film? No, it's simple human nature. I can only compare this movie with Das Experiment, a movie that I recently saw, or with the more classic Cannibal Holocaust. It does feel a bit lengthy at times, but that's because you can't believe what you are seeing. You do believe it, but you don't want to.

A great performance from our Romanian actors. I loved the girls and the fat policeman. A great performance from the other actors as well, but in the end, they just fade away in front of the script and directing. Great job! I want more. Actually, I don't. I want a bit less. I am still shook up.

Human traffic

[paul2001sw-1 · 9/10 · 22 October 2004]

It's easy to understand why someone who is starving and homeless might risk everything in search of a better life abroad. But there are countries in which, although they are poorer than the affluent west, people can get by. So why do their citizens endure the most appalling hardship as economic migrants and illegal immigrants? Blame it on the grotesque disparities in exchange rates, which mean that a year's savings in Britain might be a lifetime's in Moldova; but blame it also on our most corrosive export, the myth that sustains our own societies, that man can control his own destiny, that we can, that we must, always seek to make something more of our lives. The irony is that the pursuit of this dream can take all of us only further away from what matters: a place in which, and people with whom, we can be at home.

The subject matter of migration has been excellently served in recent years, through the wonderful Channel Four documentary, 'The Last Peasants', and through Michael Winterbottom's sublime film, 'In This World'. 'Sex Traffic' completes a noble trilogy, with its harrowing but sadly convincing script, fine direction and stunning performances from its leads: British actor John Simm and, in two more demanding roles, a brilliant pair of young Romanian actresses, Anamaria Varince and Maria Popistasu. Serious but also dramatic, this is an outstanding mini-series. I have only two relatively minor quibbles: the journalistic, pseudo-documentary feel is slightly overdone, especially in episode one (the story doesn't need such heavy-handed treatment); and the strange way the film stigmatises an American multinational company. It's perfectly reasonable to believe that the power of such companies is one the main causes of the economic imbalances that fundamentally drive migration; but this company is merely guilty of covering up the fact that some of its employees have done bad things (but of course, it's easier to blame a bogeyman than it is to blame ourselves, and our own outrageous share of the global wealth). Don't let these matters put you off watching one of the most outstanding, emotional, and important, dramas of the year.

Truly shocking, but very true

[sanjeev-sarpal · 9/10 · 3 September 2006]

I came across this film while flicking through the TV channels one late evening. Funnily enough, my wife and I thought that we might have a night of romance before watching this film. However, after nearly thirty minutes of watching the terror unleashed on the women in this film, any thoughts of sex quickly disappeared from our minds. The film portrayed the truly tragic story of young east European women sold into the sex trade. After living in England for many years, there were some chilling reminders for me, such as the brothel in a normal residential street, and the east European gangs that operate in London's underground stations - all of which I have seen with my own eyes! Perhaps the most terrifying detail in this film was the level of sophistication of the gangs, resident in almost every European country, with far reaching contacts in the community. I would advise everyone to watch this film, as it is chilling reminder of the level of double standards in this world, and how corporations in war torn countries operate with total impunity, under the premise of "we're helping them with their reconstruction".

This is a story that grabs, holds on and haunts long after!

[wwhitbeck · 10/10 · 19 June 2005]

Expectations were low when I decided to PPV this two part flick. I was blown away! This story held me enthralled enough to desperately search out part two within seconds of the end of part one.

While I would like to think that this kind of thing doesn't happen in the free world, I'm convinced that it does and the portrayal here is as accurate as you are ever likely to get. What these sisters endure is simply tragic. Lives are destroyed because someone dared to dream, and follow that dream.

This movie is also a testament to the love and bond of sisters. When one sister begins to spiral downwards her sister will do anything to bring her back, even if it ensures that she herself will continue along in the hell hole they are trapped.

This is a must watch movie for every male and female on the planet. Don't just watch...feel.

:(

[majsanja · 10/10 · 11 June 2006]

I have to apologize to you all if my English is bad. I will try to be the most understandable then ever. I just finished with watching the first part of this movie. No movie left such a powerful impression on me as this one. I was crying like a baby. And those tears were not the result of happiness. I do not want to talk about production. That is not important. Important is the thing that there are some people, girls, and they are just like Lena and Vara, but not in the movie yet in real life. How we could help them? What can we do for not happening these things to some girl? It is awful...really awful. And I am ashamed for being a human!

This may be the most important movie you ever see.

[littlekingltd · 10/10 · 28 June 2007]

I am saddened that this film could not be seen by more people. Yes, it is gritty. Yes, it is rough. But it will change your life and will make you want to change the lives of others. David Yates crafts the horrific images and reality of the sex trafficking world. He is a hero for affecting so many (or so few?) by taking on this task.

When the film was over, I wished there was a list of phone numbers of organizations I could call to help prevent these atrocities from occurring any longer. You will too. Please, instead of passing on one of those ridiculous emails, thinking that you will make a change, pass this movie on - it might actually get the job done.

Strong, and very reality based drama, with it's score of disturbing moments

[videorama-759-859391 · 8/10 · 4 December 2013]

The other side of the 169 minute, two part film, Human Trafficking, you have this one, the more dubious of the two. You'll see why the story needs to be in two parts. From the baddies angle, the pimps, and pornographers, it pulls no punches, showing these merciless fu..ers who deceive attractive looking sorts, (guess what they were aspiring to be) then putting them to work in the unsuspecting hell of Russian sex slavery. Two such victims are two sisters who get split, one broken who starts working with the sex traffickers. From the first reel we see a score of victims being put on tape, introducing themselves, lying about their age, and being humiliated by this scum. As not seeing their faces, the intimidating tones of their voices are enough to tell us, the sort of lowlifes they really are. We even have a young guy, part of the syndicate, in his late teens, who lures the girls in with his good looks, and charm, you'd want to punch him, especially in the final scene, where a new lass is about to become traded property. One guy, who's sister was snatched and killed, wants revenge, he meets up with an unrelenting young journalist (Simms-Human Traffic, Life On Mars) to find these scum and close them down. This is a very dark drama, again painting the pimps as real bada..es, (some of the most merciless I've seen in these pics) who won't hesitant, to kill their trade if out of line, like in one shock scene, the youngest of the flock taken out, as supposedly feeling not very well. Of course a lot of similarities will pop up in this film, if having watched a lot of other human trafficking films, but too we also see the political side, with the government trying to shut down these operations, some of the figures, being of corrupt ilk themselves. We also see their family life too as we cut back and forth in three linked stories, of Simms, the bada..es, and the government, that works in nice even continuity. Well worth a look drama, with engaging performances, the talented Simms for one.

strong and realistic docu-drama

[dromasca · 7/10 · 25 August 2007]

This is what director David Yates was doing before the last Harry Poter and I believe that he is worth being looked attentively, because this is a very different kind of movie and he is doing very well. This is a docu-drama about a very serious social and human problem for the countries in Eastern Europe and for the West as well, the human trafficking and sexual slavery that throws each year thousands of young girls aspiring to a better life in the hands of prostitution rings all over the 'civilized' world.

The script is well written, with a credible story, even if the big corporation involvement part was a little too conventional. Acting is clean and efficient, and the mix of nationalities and languages is very credible. Directing is made with a sure hand, locations are well and realistically filmed and this TV movie makes a strong and moving case for a problem that should not be ignored.

A businessman's view

[nick-1265 · 10/10 · 13 January 2006]

I guess we just haven't been out of our caves long enough if these depraved specimens of human kind still walk among us. Whereas I could happily watch the traffickers neck deep in an ant nest there was one aspect that seemed a little odd. The price paid for these women seemed way low considering the ROI. I am naive enough to hope for some black ops assassin squad to clean up some of these slavers and at least put some mortal fear into the rest. Shame is that, as usual, those in power are usually enmeshed in this disgusting tapestry. An excellent film that is unfortunately wasted on the likes of us. We will be appalled then dismayed to the point of tears then look for the nearest comedy.

admirable effort

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 21 May 2016]

Callum Tate is a private police contractor in Bosnia. He tries to buy Anya's freedom and loses his job. Before being sent home, he steals evidence of a wide spread trafficking ring. Boston-based Kernwell is the contracting company. Tom Harlsburgh is the CEO and his wife Madeleine is head of the company's charity fund fighting sex trafficking. Magnus Herzoff is the chairman and founder. Ernie Dwight is the company spokesman. Daniel Appleton from London is a refugee advocate tired of writing useless reports. He goes to Italy where Anya and other girls drown while being smuggled across the waters. Sisters Lena and Vara Visinescu from Moldova are tricked into sexual slavery.

The Visinescu sisters' journey is harrowing. This is a wide ranging interconnected story by director David Yates. The Kernwell part is less compelling because it feels less real. It's not big enough. The actors are solid but it can't escape its Canadian sensibility. I can understand the need to make this movie all encompassing but it would be more intense staying with the sisters. Overall, this is an admirable effort.

What the hell ?

[iang-3 · 10/10 · 11 October 2004]

After seeing this 2 parter on CBC this weekend, I must confess complete and utter ignorance of this issue. For a while I thought we had learned from the mistakes of the past, only to find we in the 21st Century are no different from those of the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries in regard to the buying and selling of human flesh.

Who are buying these women ? What makes this trade work ? Is it us men ? Is it our partners for withholding sex to get what they want ? What a screwed up world we live in. These are the questions I am faced with after seeing this program.

This mini series portrays the sex slave industry is its gory details. Two young sisters, in an effort for a better life, are sold and moved through eastern to western Europe and eventually find themselves in London. How they make the journey is by the far the most scariest thing a human could ever experience.

My one beef is that the CBC left in the violence, rape scenes and beatings and edited out the F word every time - bizarre.

Important message, too long in the telling

[tsd333 · 4/10 · 26 May 2010]

Very important story, adequately conveyed, and the acting was good enough. The content could and should have been compressed, and the final relationship is predictable. Director had a hard time convincing this viewer that the main male character, a nerd and not very bright one at that, could get the job done. Perhaps that is why the presentation takes so long, and I felt obliged to fast-forward during the slower passages in the second half in particular. The plot suffered from the heavy-handed treatment of the American company trying to rebuild war-torn infrastructure and thus, people's lives. Some of the best acting came from the character of the betrayed American wife, and the female lead was consistently good throughout. A minor problem (by no means unique to this production) was a brief London traffic scene with vehicles traveling on the right side of the road.

extremely realistic

[djmoff · 9/10 · 16 September 2005]

this movie is one of the best made for TV movies that I've ever seen. Don't know whether it was due to the cast or just the topic.It was too realistic for my wife. She had to leave the room when the lead actress was raped. Wendy Crewson as always and the newcomer Anamaria Marinca are incredible talents.The director has chosen just the right lighting and location sets to add to the dark mood required to reinforce just how seedy this business is. I realize that this was partly a Canadian production but it detracted from the storyline to see distinguished and easily identifiable Canadians playing Americans. I'm referring to such notables as Len Cariou and Maury Chaykin. I realize that this may seem a bit strange that I'm not complaining about Ms Crewson as well but she's played Americans in so many movies (notably the President's wife in one) that I had no problem with her although I would have preferred her to be a Canadian too. I still don't understand why in their hope to be seen in the U.S., movie makers feel that Americans will only identify with themselves. American movie goers are much brighter than other countries give them credit for.

A subject that will take your breath away.

[Pinklavender · 10/10 · 25 December 2006]

I have just sat through 3 hours of what has to be one of the most amazing dramas I have ever seen - I can't understand how I missed it when it was first released - totally my loss! The subject of sex trafficking is well publicised now but this film truly gives you a personal insight into the hell these girls go through in order to survive and the scum they have to associate with. Under normal circumstances I might call these traffickers animals, but that is too good a word as an animal would not treat another animal like this.

However, what surpasses everything is the quality of acting by all concerned and the merging of the nationalities was so intense and so perfect that both casting and directing were sheer genius.

I have always thought that John Simm, Wendy Crewson and Chris Potter to be actors who are totally underrated for the fine performances they always can be depended upon to give and in this film, there is no exception. What completely took my breath away was the compelling acting from the actors - from the girls, the traffickers and the police - which was amazingly realistic and strongly delivered.

Although the ending was predictable - the balance between big business winning through regardless; the personal loss was different to those involved with Tom Harlsburgh losing his family (which of course he deserved!)against Elena Visinescu losing her sister (which wasn't!)but regaining her son. At least there was one happy ending within the thousands of tragic endings that happen every year to these girls.

I think this film should be shown regularly to keep the plight of these girls in the forefront of news around the world. Because if it is happening in London, then you can be sure it is happening near you! Well done C4 and CBC - more of the same please!

Sad, Disturbing, and Exquisitely Acted

[ProfMo · 10/10 · 3 February 2008]

Sex Traffic did an excellent job showing the brutality that these women are subject to, making the viewer appropriately uncomfortable. In the end, the notion that the women go into this willingly and happily was dispelled, showing how they are treated as little more than animals and those who don't escape or get killed wind up becoming sadly obedient and pliant for their unredeemable handlers, continuing the circle of violence and exploitation.

The stand out performance here has to be John Simm. He plays the role of the bumbling and soft-hearted Daniel Appleton. He's an unlikely hero who surprises the audience by standing up to much harder individuals than himself, and to great effect. His relationship with Lena is portrayed as sweet and tender, and illustrates his sense of helplessness in the face of an enemy that is so much larger than him. Simm doesn't play the beautiful and cynical hero that audiences have become accustomed to, rather a man who truly cares and does something about it, all the while fighting his fear and pride to do so.

The rest of the cast is also phenomenal - every character becomes a real person to the viewer, to be liked or hated. That the cast members are from all over the map makes their portrayals even more effective.

This is an impressive piece of drama and documentary.

A gripping TV mini-series that delves into the disturbing world of human trafficking.

[Christopherlovesmovies · 8/10 · 18 March 2023]

-Hi everyone, Its Mr C Reviewer, The Show we are here to talk about tonight is (Drum roll) Sex Traffic. This is a TV two episodes mini-series. In March of 2023, I had the opportunity to buy and watch both episodes on Prime Video, with a runtime of about 1 hour and 30 minutes with each episode. The TV Show was rated 18 in the UK and was first released in October 14, 2004. 'Sex Traffic' was directed by David Yates and written by Abi Morgan.

Summary

This powerful drama sheds light on a dark and often hidden crime that affects millions worldwide. It follows the harrowing journey of two sisters who are lured into the sex trade and their desperate attempts to escape. Through their eyes, viewers witness the brutal reality of this global issue and the devastating impact it has on victims and their families.

Review

-Although episode one began with a prologue that effectively established the mood, I personally find such introductions somewhat annoying. In contrast, episode two picks up right where the first episode ended, which I found more engaging. In my opinion, the acting in the show was quite impressive. I appreciated that non-English dialogues was accompanied by subtitles, although I think that it would have been even better if subtitles were available throughout both episodes. At times, this mini TV series expertly portrays the harrowing reality of sex trafficking from a female perspective, shedding light on a pervasive global issue. One scene in particular caught me off guard and made me jump while watching the episode.

While I appreciated the realism that the shaky camera added to scenes featuring running characters, I found it somewhat distracting. In particular, there were moments where the sound quality fluctuated due to the switching of cameras for different angles. Overall, while I acknowledge the intention behind using a shaky camera, I personally would have preferred a more stable approach. One aspect of the story that particularly impressed me was its balanced portrayal of different perspectives. We were given insight into the experiences of both the victims and those attempting to help them.

While I enjoyed the show, I felt that the series would have benefited from stronger writing. The large number of characters introduced in the series made it feel somewhat overwhelming. In my opinion, the story would have been more better if it had delved deeper into the characters. Specifically, I believe that more attention should have been given to the relationship between the two siblings and the other victims, I feel that if we was Introduced to Daniel's character from one of the siblings' perspectives before immersing the us the viewer in his own viewpoint could have potentially enriched our experience of the show.

For each Show that I watch, I rate it out of 10 so for this am going to give it a 8, Remember this was what I thought about the TV series personally and I suggest that you give it a go for yourself.

Grim, Gritty, Brutal Television

[freemantle_uk · 10/10 · 4 September 2009]

The clue is in the title, Sex Traffic is a drama series about the Sex Trade. An ambitious project for David Yates and Abi Morgan.

Set in the winter of 2004, Sex Traffic has three main strands to it's plot. First is about private American peacekeeping officers in Bosnia who buy and sell Eastern Europe who use them as prostitutes and sell them on to gangsters who traffic them further into Europe. They is the big defence contractor who wants to cover up the activities of their officers because they do not want the bad press but also donating to an anti-trafficking charity. Another focus is Daniel Appleton (John Simm), a charity worker for a trafficking organisation who monitor the trafficking routes into Western Europe. He starts to investigate what is happening in Bosnia, realising that they is more then just gangsters involved. He starts a very public battle risking his reputation and his life reporting this. Finally is the most personal story about 2 young sisters, Elena (Anamaria Marinca) and Vera (Maria Popistasu), from rural Moldova. They are convicted by Vera's boyfriend that he can get them work in London. But they sound question what is really happening, discovered that they have been sold and forced to become prostitutes and are stuck in a world of violence and rape.

This a excellent programme, with a three way interlinking plot much like the brilliant Steven Soderbergh film Traffic and the film Syriana. The obvious focus is on the brutal world of sex trafficking and how outside forces that are involved. This takes a realistic view on sex trafficking compared to the not so good film Taken. Abi Morgan writes a very good script, especially involving the story about Elena and Vera. She adds a lot of moral ambiguity, even with punters; it is not a completely black and white world. Many of the characters have faults and conscience. Morgan also show that even when women are freed that their are still targets for traffickers. David Yates shows also shows his skill as a director; both as a storyteller, and as a technical minded man. He has excellent tracking shot, but also keeps the story moving, making you feel for the characters, showing how bleak the world is. He takes the gritty, kitchen sink approach that British film and television is good at. He is following the directional approach of men like Ken Loach. My complain of the story thought is that I think the element about the defence contractors felt a bit forced. Trying to adds some anti-capitalism, anti-Americanism to the story which wasn't needed.

There are excellent actor in this film. John Simm excellence, showing a different role and character then the one he played in State of Play. His character is passionate, but more understated. He is a man trying to do the right thing. Anamaria Marinca and Maria Popistasu are both very talented actresses from Romania and both have the toughest roles playing the trapped women. It is tough for any woman to play that sort of role and do it that well. Anamaria Marinca won a deserved BATFA for her effort. They show the close bound between the sisters even in their circumstances. The American/Canadian also offer fine performance.

A must watch programme.

Best docudrama ever!!!

[lindaras-405-405600 · 10/10 · 22 February 2022]

When I first saw the title and that it starred John Simm, I knew it could be a rough watch. I was 15 minutes into it and I was hooked. Another 30 minutes and the story became so intense, I thought I might not be able to finish watching. But I did. And then I couldn't stop watching.

John Simm had pulled off another masterpiece. To think the American side of the Atlantic didn't know of this amazing actor. Bravo to all the performers, the director, the producers. A job well done.