[Boosting the Signal] Premier of Candy Shop
You can watch this video on www.livejournal.com
We went to the premier presentation of Candy Shop (watch the trailer above) last night at the Fox Theatre.
It.Was. Amazing. What a night.
A huge HUGE thank you to my good friends Thomas and Amber, who gifted us with tickets to the premier. How often does a gal get to dress up in velvet and pearls to see the premier of an event that has the potential to grow as large as this one? The Fox Theater herein Atlanta, GA is breath-taking. I'd never been before, and I was astounded. I couldn't stop staring at everything.. and I am definitely going to be going back. I'd love to see Shakespeare or ANY live theatre production there, really.
Whitestone Motion Pictures, StreetGrace, our good friends at Penny Dreadful Productions, and so many others did an outstanding job putting this amazing short film together. A fairytale. A parable. A message that MUST be spread. This is not a happy story, not really. Especially when you realize the numbers are true.
The film starred Doug Jones (Hellboy 1 and 2, Pan's Labyrinth, and more) as a candy shop owner. A metaphor for the child sex trafficking industry. He would bring in young girls off the street, and put them in a machine that turned them into lollipops, which he would then sell in his shop. The objectification of children into something to be purchased for sexual purposes. A very touchy subject that is uncomfortable to a lot of people. One that is hushed up, and dis-believed. "This COULDN'T be happening HERE!" Well believe it. KNOW it. It happens, and it's very real.
The film makers touched upon it perfectly and delicately. Telling it in story form, the eeriness came across subtly and hinted at the truth behind the parable. It brought a sickness to your stomach, and planted the knowledge in your brain and in your heart that this IS true. It DOES happen.
This is not a graphic film in any way. But believe me, it's powerful. Doug Jones's performance was phenomenal and believable which is hard to swallow if you know anything of the man at all; or have ever met him and seen what an amazing, friendly, and gentle person he is. His character in the film harnessed all those things but in a despicable way, Bravo to Mr. Doug Jones for that performance.
The real message and purpose of the film was not to win awards (which I'm sure it will), nor to win acclaim. It's purpose is to win minds and open up communication channels into society that would allow us to talk openly and thus find solutions inside our own communities; and outside, globally, to stop the child sex trade dead in its tracks. To make us aware, and make us realize that no matter our wealth, no matter our education level, no matter our own fears; to make us say "What can I do as one person?" To make us realize that we can change the life of even one child being abused so horribly, and that's worth it.
No matter your religion, and yes Street Grace (one of the organizations that helped start this campaign) IS a faith based organization; but no matter your beliefs you are welcome to help out in any way. And I quote.. "if you do paper mache, then we'll have you paper mache!" :) They are not pushing a religious message, just a positive message, that one person can make a huge difference and the sex trade inside our borders very real, and very much a problem.
If you are an artist, an actor, a singer, a writer, a web designer, a painter, whatever you are..a carpenter, a CEO, you have something to offer, in any way, please don't hesitate to do so. Visit StoptheCandyShop.com to find ways to help in your community and beyond. One person CAN make a difference, if you read this far there is your proof. If you don't have time to volunteer or even consider then please just take time to share this address with ALL of your friends here and elsewhere, thank you so much for listening and reading this.
Make a difference.
