The sex trade is an issue that receives very meager attention in as far as policy and intervention are concerned. In practice, the world has grossly neglected the issue of the sex trade, leaving most victims of the trade to fighting for themselves. The Dreamcatcher Foundation, founded by Brenda Myers-Powell, seeks to provide interventions to help the young women come out from prostitution. Accordingly, the Dreamcatcher film is one of the tools that the foundation has used to convey its message abroad. Primarily, the movie is an expose on the cycle of neglect, exploitation and violence that faces thousands of women and men every year.
Practically, neglect, violence, and exploitation are key factors that have led many people into prostitution. People who have faced neglect and exploitation see prostitution as their best survival strategy. Thus, many have ended up in a risky life and subjected themselves to further abuse, mistreatment and exploitation in the hands of their clients. Practically, Brenda's involvement in the lives of the sex trade victims shows a rear concern in the society. Her determination and devotion to the plight of the youngsters in the trade shows a significant mark that she made in transforming other people's lives (Kim Longinotto's Dreamcatcher par 4). Issues of child molestation, poverty, physical abuse, and silence, facing the victims are significant motifs in the film. The Dreamcatcher depicts the spirited efforts of Brenda towards breaking the cycle of violence, neglect, and exploitation. Brenda's methods of intervention in handling the women are worth noting. Importantly, Brenda uses a non-judgmental practical support propelled by her unconditional love for the victims. Even more important, she is more than willing to go out of her way to provide whatever it would take, for the clients, to receive their transformation (Directing Award).
Importantly, in her real life, Brenda had a grisly encounter in prostitution. Thus, the movie is a narration of her past life. In the words of Longinotto,
What is amazing about Brenda is that 99% of people who have a respectable life—she's got a husband, she's got a kid, she's living in the suburbs—would keep their past quiet. But what she does is use her past to help other people. And that's why she loved being in the film (Hynes par 5).
After changing her life, Brenda initiated the Dreamcatcher Foundation. Primarily, the Foundation's chief role was to bring positive change in the young girls. Today, the Dreamcatcher Foundation has rescued hundreds of women from the dangers of prostitution and its consequences. Interestingly, young girls of about 14 years are among the people who have benefitted from the foundation (Kim Longinotto's Dreamcatcher par 3). The Dreamcatcher foundation's primary aim is to stop human trafficking in Chicago. Primarily, it aims to stop sexual harassment and exploitation among the at-risk youths. As well, it seeks to help the current sex workers to find confidence and stability from sources that surpass their current way of life. Started by Brenda Myers-Powell, the organization seeks to boost independence, courage, confidence, and inner strength in the youth living in marginalized areas. Accordingly, the foundation uses the harm reduction strategy to obtain the cooperation of most disadvantaged young women. Precisely, the organization provides mentoring relationships and life coaching to help the women adopt healthy living. Also, it achieves this through empowerment, education and prevention (The Dreamcatcher Foundation).
The Dreamcatcher film assesses the various themes involving the modern African American woman. Directed by Kim Longinotto, the film portrays the variations of lifestyle and the pressures of life facing the modern woman. Primarily, the story revolves around the real-life encounter of Brenda Myers-Powell, who engaged in prostitution from her teenage. However, Brenda's experience propelled her save young girls from harlotry (Directing Award par 1).
Using unobtrusive verité camera work that inhabits Brenda's miraculous perspective, master director Kim Longinotto follows intimate stories along Brenda's path (Directing Award).
Importantly, it shows how Brenda provided vital start towards transformation and improvement in the lives of many youngsters. The Dreamcatcher is a candid and courageous expose of the resolute and significant actions of Brenda, in lessening the world's despair in dealing with the incidences of sexual evils. Brenda's courage and determination show practically in her daily interactions with the sex trade victims. Primarily, through the Dreamcatcher Foundation, Brenda engages in risky interventions with the female prisoners, at-risk teenagers, and the prostitutes along the streets of the inner-city Chicago. Directing Award, notes that one of Brenda's approaches that enabled her to reach many girls and transform them was her honesty. Importantly, what made Brenda unreservedly transparent with the girls was that she could identify with their lifestyle. Practically, Brenda could even recruit innocent people into the trade. Sadly, she even could abandon her children to pursue harlotry (Directing Award par 1).
In sum, the Dreamcatcher helps to depict the dire situation of the sex trade. Fundamentally, it is critical tool that the foundation uses to convey its message to the world, showing the impact of a strong resolve in affecting people's lives. Certainly, it enables one to understand the various reasons for people to engage in the sex trade. However, it is a call to the audience to understand that they can do something about the sex trade and bring positive impact on its victims. As such, it is a wake-up call and an eye-opener for people to engage actively in shaping their world.
Works Cited
“Directing Award: World Cinema Documentary.” DREAMCATCHER, Sundance Institute, 2000-2015. Web. 13 Jun. 2015.
Hynes Eric. “Kim Longinotto On Fostering Intimacy With Her Subjects And Giving A Voice To Women’s Stories In Dreamcatcher.” Sundance Institute. Sundance Institute, 2015.
“Kim Longinotto's Dreamcatcher in the Sundance Film Festival Competition.” Aesthetica Short Film Festival. Aesthetica Magazine Ltd, 2015. Web. 13 Jun. 2015.
The Dreamcatcher Foundation, n.d. Web. 15 Jun. 2015
