by MS C

Created on: November 05, 2008

Movie: The Jammed - www.thejammed.com
Release Date: 2008
Rating: MA Australia 18A - Canada
Company: Arclight Films - www.arclightfilms.com

LOWDOWN
The Jammed is an Australian movie about human trafficking following in the footsteps of others of the kind including, Trade, Spare Parts, Traffik, and Human Trafficking. It chronicles the tale of a young Chinese girl, Ruby, who comes to Australia and ends up being forced into a prostitution ring out of King's Cross. Crystal, played by Emma Lung (an Australian actress playing a Chinese girl), is reciting the story throughout the movie with flashbacks to Ruby's mother and a kind stranger, Ashley, who are trying to track down what has become of Ruby. This movie is based on true events from court transcripts.' What the movie doesn't tell you is that of the court transcripts that this movie was taken from there was ever only one conviction and the rest of the cases were thrown out on appeal.

DIG
Human trafficking has become a huge justice issue in today's day and age. Constantly we are being subjected to commercials, films and even newspaper articles about the growing concern of human trafficking. The Canadian Age of Consent was raised from 14 to 16 with hopes that this may help reduce human trafficking into our own borders. While I firmly believe that human trafficking is a very important issue that needs to be addressed I can't help but criticize this film. The film is carried upon a very weak plot held together by very weak actors; Emma Lung is thrust into a role that would call for an exceptional actor; unfortunately her accent and actual skin pigmentation is more Australian than it is Chinese. As for the content of the actual film I feel that this was simply a shock and awe film. It was definitely shocking to watch as the movie was filled with graphic rape scenes, gratuitous nudity and coarse language. In the end the movie was less than edifying for its actual purpose. I feel almost as if the movie is employing scare tactics to try and convince of a bigger problem than actually exists. Workers from King's Cross have actually spoken out about the movie; one, Joanne, in particular said: "I'm a sex worker in Kings Cross, close friends with Thai sex workers happily on contract (i.e. "trafficked"). I am insulted by the ridiculous mythologies so easily believed by those who want to paint us all as victims. You [film makers] have dealt a cruel blow to Asian sex workers in Australia by getting sucked into this discriminatory and racist narrative. The "help the trafficked" sector is an industry in itself, and is much more harmful and dangerous to sex workers than sex work itself. [People] only want to hear stories of woe, and to make money by stereotyping us." I feel that this type of movie is only going to be seen by those who already have an invested interest in human trafficking and in the long run will have little to no effect on the general public.

SPARK
- Have you ever thought about human trafficking and it's impingements on human rights?
- How would you feel if someone you loved were being trafficked?
- Have you ever considered that human trafficking could be going on in the cities you live in?
- Do you think movies like this actually make a difference in society?
-Did you see this movie? What did you think?

FINAL THOUGHTS
Cinematically The Jammed is not a bad movie; the plot and acting is weak, but it is still an interesting 90 minute watch. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this film as the content is extremely graphic and could have been portrayed in better ways. I suggest that if you truly want to watch a movie about human trafficking that you pick up Trade, which is by far one of the best movies I have ever seen.
3 out of 5 stars.

Learn more about this author, MS C.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.