Watch Not My Life

Not My Life is a heart-wrenching documentary film that vividly portrays the devastating impact of human trafficking and modern-day slavery on women and young children around the world. Released in 2011, this film is directed by Academy Award nominee Robert Bilheimer and is narrated by renowned actress Glenn Close. The documentary's aim is to expose viewers to the magnitude of the global issue that is human trafficking and to inspire them to take action to help those who are affected by it.

The film takes viewers on a harrowing journey through five continents, accompanied by stories of survivors, scholars, and advocates who have dedicated their lives to fighting against this grave injustice. Not My Life depicts a wide range of circumstances encompassing what we could rightly refer to as an epidemic in the globe today, ranging from forced labor, domestic and international sex trafficking, to forced organ removal. The first-hand accounts of survivors juxtaposed with the research-driven knowledge of the experts make this film hit harder and pull at the audience's heartstrings.

Not My Life also uplifts the stories of those who have come out from the clutches of traffickers and survived the heinous crime that is human trafficking. Their stories are inspiring and give hope, but they also highlight the meaning of justice and how much further we have yet to go to address this heinous crime. Survivors of human trafficking from vastly different worlds stand as a symbol of the psychological and emotional impact this has on human beings.

The major strength of Not My Life is that it lays out the facts and figures cohesively in visual form, showing how the problem has affected millions of innocent souls. It depicts how the life of someone trapped as a victim of human trafficking is nothing like how it is depicted in movies, as it follows up the reality of the situation, which is that women and children are sometimes held captive for months or even years in brutal conditions.

The interviews with people who are affected by this crime are raw and give viewers the feeling of being present in the situation. The film provides an overview of the many facets of trafficking, the faces of the victims, and the trauma that comes with each situation.

Even if the audience had some background knowledge about the crime before seeing the film, watching Not My Life will still evoke strong emotions. It educates the viewer not only about the extent of the problem worldwide, but also provides guidance on how to identify victims and how to get involved in preventing and treating the injustices done to the victims.

The movie also addresses the systemic and cultural roots behind human trafficking, such as poverty, political corruption, and gender inequality, among others. It shows how these factors interact to create an environment in which exploitation and trafficking can thrive. The movie’s focus on prevention ultimately leads to us as a society being more proactive in combating such crimes.

Glenn Close’s narration is a crucial part of the film as she delivers the script with a voice that is steely, compassionate, and somber. The tone was perfect in describing an issue that is both heartbreaking to witness whiles also being pervasive around the globe. Every scene feels vivid and realistic as she chronicles the stories of trafficking survivors whose lives have been destroyed along with their families. Her powerhouse narration also adds an element of urgency to the film and the harsh realities of human trafficking.

In conclusion, Not My Life stands apart from other documentaries, as it is both an eye-opening indictment of contemporary slavery around the world while offering a call for immediate action. The film successfully delivers important messages about the political, economic, cultural, and social foundations that enable trafficking – creating a sense of awareness around the issue. However, the film is not just about knowledge and awareness but inherently emotional as it displays the cost of overlooking the issue, hence advocating for individual and collective action against these heinous crimes. It is indeed a thoughtful and must-watch film that challenges one's knowledge and empathy towards issues of human rights.

Not My Life is a 2011 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 4 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.1.