The Pink Room

Of the millions of sex slaves worldwide, an estimated 50,000 are found in Cambodia. Filmmaker Joel Sandvos' The Pink Room is an informative (and often depressing) documentary about mixed success with trying to end the trafficking of child sex slaves in Cambodia, a country described as ripe for the objectification and brutalization of children a generation after Pol Pot and the sweeping psychological effects of mass genocide. Poverty naturally drives children into prostitution, but sadly not the ordinary kind: a wide market exists for girls as young as five who can be easily subjected to fetishes and torture. The filmmakers introduce us to Mien, who sold herself to a brothel at age 13 in order to provide food for her starving sister and mother. Mien experienced sickening brutality for years, but was ultimately rescued by an advocacy organization offering aftercare, rehabilitation, and skills training. That group plays a large role here, guiding viewers through the complications of trying to end child sex trafficking—which has met with limited if cherished success. Some of the most powerful moments here are when one advocate confronts obvious pedophile-tourists and chases them away, knowing full well that they will simply travel to the next village to pay for a victim. Despite the hopelessness, however, Mien's story (she is now a tailor and married) and that of others offers encouragement. A powerful festival award-winner, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)