Call and Response

In 2007, slave traders made more money than Google, Nike and Starbucks combined. UNICEF estimates nearly two million children are slaves to the commercial sex trade, while the US State Department estimates human trafficking is the world's third largest criminal enterprise after drugs and weapons.

San Francisco singer/songwriter Justin Dillon has directed a timely documentary, Call + Response, focusing attention on the epidemic of human slavery and trafficking. The film features undercover footage of places where slavery is thriving; victims' testimony; commentary from the likes of Ashley Judd, Daryl Hannah, Julia Ormond and Madeleine Albright; and performances by Moby, Cold War Kids, Natasha Bedingfield and Matisyahu.

Dillon's journey towards making the film began more than three years ago while touring Russia. Here he saw what he describes as the "sad underbelly of globalisation and poverty". Where women and girls were being conned into signing with "model agencies" in order to get into the US, when really they were being sold into prostitution against their will.  

"It was then that I had to pursue it and look to somehow do something against this horrific injustice while incorporating my passion for music and film," Dillon says. With an email to Darryl Hannah's website, so began Justin's journey to leverage other musicians and artists to contribute to the film.

Call + Response calls for a 21st century abolitionist movement against human slavery. All profits from the film and CD sales are going towards funding projects at the front line of these issues. Examples include: funding of child soldier rehab clinics; $500,000 in medical supplies for an Asian sex-slave rehab clinic; and buying sewing machines for after-care child facilities.

Other initiatives being created include www.chainstorereaction.com, a website that was featured at the Clinton Global Initiative that details people's "consumer activism", pushing companies to change unethical labour practices.

If you are into music and want to know how you can make a difference in the world then Call and Response  is a must-see. Visit www.callandresponse.com.au for more details. Edward Montgomery

Screening from 22 Oct.

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