January 25, 2022 | By Michael H. Babcock
When Film Director Nicole Bowers Wallace was first presented with the idea of making a film about human trafficking, she had questions. It’s a touchy subject she didn’t know a lot about, but the more she dove in, the more she knew she was appalled. She interviewed investigators from the FBI, human trafficking activists and victims of human trafficking to get a full picture of them problem.
Once she had that knowledge, she knew she had to do it. In this edition of the PHF Podcast, she talks about the process to educate herself, what it was like to create the film (her first full feature film) and what the response has been since it originally premiered in 2019.
The film will be making its Copper Country premiere on Tuesday, February 8 at Hancock Central High School. The event will open with a reception at 5:30, the film will be played at 5:30 and a question-and-answer session will follow. Learn more about the event, the film and human trafficking at phfgive.org/ringofsilence.
What should I do if I suspect human trafficking?
- Do not at any time attempt to confront a suspected trafficker directly or alert a victim to your suspicions.
- Call 911 for emergency situations – threats of violence, physical assault, emergency medical needs, etc.
- If you are a victim and need help or if you want to find support for a loved one, call or text the confidential 24/7 Upper Peninsula Human Trafficking Helpline at (906) 299-9243 or go to upht123.org.
- Contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Call 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733).
Notable Quotes from Director Nicole Bowers Wallace
- “Once I found out how this was happening and the scope, size and impact it was making on our communities, there was no choice, I knew I had to do it. I had to get this message out.”
- “Creates a scenario where victim is helpless.”
- “A lot of victims do not share their stories.”
- “Creates fear and dependency.”
- “It’s blown me away with how much of an impact it’s had.”
- “Really grateful for what we are doing in this area with this topic.”
- “You have this topic and these scenes that are so heartwrenching and disturbing. Even the actors need to take time and walk away because they’re so disturbed. In fact the gentleman that played the predator in the movie, he had a lot of times he needed to walk away.”
- “Took all the stories I had and blend them together.”
- “This will make a difference in your life, your children’s lives, your grandchildren’s life. You need to come out and see this because this is the way that you understand what is happening. This is based on true stories and it really does drive home what to look for and to just be aware. It’s just something you can start sharing with other people. The importance is incredible in our communities.”
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