Watch I Am Jane Doe
- 2017
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6.8 (1,645)
I Am Jane Doe is a powerful documentary film that sheds light on the encounter of underage girls and sex trafficking on the internet. The film is directed by Mary Mazzio, who interviews several survivors, parents, and legal experts who have been impacted by the sex trafficking industry. The film is narrated by Jessica Chastain, an acclaimed actress who also serves as a producer on the film.
The documentary starts by introducing the audience to the child trafficking section of Craigslist, known as the adult section. The section allowed for girls, often as young as 12, to be bought and sold like any other product, with no regard for their safety or well-being. The film follows the efforts of mothers who, after discovering that their underage daughters had become victims of sex trafficking, began a campaign to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The movie centers around two cases, referred to as Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2. These two girls were forced into sex slavery after being recruited through ads placed on Craigslist. Their mothers describe the mental toll it took on their daughters, how helpless they felt after they discovered what was going on, and the distressing lengths they went to protect their children.
The documentary also interviews legal experts, who explain the difficulty of finding a legal means of going after websites like Craigslist. Although Craigslist had been made aware of the sex trafficking problem, it refused to take any responsibility for the ads placed on its platform. The legal process was also complicated by the Communications Decency Act, a law that protected online platforms from being held accountable for content posted by third parties.
The documentary also investigates the roles of Backpage.com and a website called Village Voice, both of which allowed for the sale of minors for sex with no fear of being held accountable. The legal process for these websites was even more complicated than that surrounding Craigslist. However, thanks to the persistence of the mothers, the case was eventually heard at the US Senate, leading to new legislation that made it illegal to knowingly advertise sex for minors on the internet.
The documentary also explores the financial side of sex trafficking, how it is a multi-billion dollar industry and that the people behind it will go to any length to keep their business alive. The film follows the money trail to show how difficult it is to trace and punish those involved.
I Am Jane Doe is a poignant and informative movie that not only brings awareness to this serious issue but also highlights how difficult it is to fight against these crimes. Various survivors, parents, and legal experts who feature in the movie discuss how society needs to come together to demand change and put a stop to sex trafficking.
The documentary is shot in a style that makes it both informative and compelling without exploiting the victims. The survivors and their families are treated with respect, and their stories are told in a manner that highlights their bravery and strength in the face of these traumatic experiences.
In conclusion, I Am Jane Doe is an excellent documentary that exposes the devastating impact of sex trafficking on young girls and their families. The film serves as a wake-up call, urging viewers to demand change and to put an end to this widespread epidemic. The documentary will leave viewers with a clear and sobering understanding of the realities of sex trafficking and the urgent need for action to put an end to it.
I Am Jane Doe is a 2017 crime movie. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 69.