The Whistleblower

An issue that seems to be gaining popularity, as far as publicity is concerned, is sex trafficking. We now get new film that looks at the issue once again.

The UN is an organisation that we have a great deal of respect for around the world. They help out many places when they get into trouble. However, this film will not help win them any fans. If what this film presents is true then this is an appalling event that should put the UN to shame. After the war in Bosnia the UN were sent in to help clean up the country. As part of the peacekeeping force Kathryn Bolkovac uncovered a sex trafficking ring in Bosnia that was being covered up by UN forces. It is hard to imagine that anyone would let this sort of thing go on. Even the people in authority seem to have little understanding about the situation. Kathryn being a woman would have meant she'd be the ideal person to do something.

Sex trafficking is not something that I completely understand. I don't know how men can treat women in this way. The women obviously look sick and miserable so I don't know what pleasure a man could get from a woman in this situation. I understand that there is some pleasure from having a woman be in a subjective position but that is when a woman is willing, not when she is being forced into it.

As a film it works in presenting a story that we may not have heard all that much about. The story is interesting but may not have been told in the most thrilling way. The inclusion of a subplot which focuses on two girls caught up in the sex trafficking ring was a nice way of making the situation seem more personal.

Rachel Weisz has proven herself to be an excellent actress. You can see that she made this film as an issues role. Which is fine as she is good at what she does. The rest of the cast have less to do as Rachel goes on her crusade. David Strathairn and Vanessa Redgrave make good authority figures and lend a great deal of dignity to their roles. Monica Bellucci has a small role too which proves effective.

A good film that uncovers a story you may not have heard of. It does not great favours to the UN though.