STILL HOPE {Movie Review & Giveaway}

“Every person needs to see this film!” –Natalie Grant, award-winning Christian music artist and co-founder of Hope for Justice, a non-profit organization combating human trafficking

Get tickets now to see this powerful film in theaters February 5th!

Synopsis

Hope, a teenager beloved by her family and raised in a tight-knit community, finds herself lured into danger when the person she believes to be a new friend is not who he claims to be. Ripped from all she knows and forced into sex trafficking, Hope is stripped of her identity and threatened into submission, enduring years of abuse.

Hope finally manages to escape from her captors with the help of a compassionate stranger. Though now safe and reunited with her family, she discovers that survival is only the first step. Hope struggles to adjust back to her old life as she reconciles with all the trauma she’s endured.

Hope’s journey is inspired by true stories of trafficking survivors, powerfully illustrating the resilience and courage it takes to walk the complex path of recovery and find healing after life’s darkest moments.

Buy tickets today to see STILL HOPE in theaters starting February 5th!

MOVIE REVIEW: First Half

It’s hard to believe, but there are more slaves in the world today than at any other time in history – including when slavery was legal.

Human traffickers utilize online platforms, social media, and messaging apps to lure victims with false promises of employment or romance. Sophisticated social engineering tactics are often employed.

This problem touches all strata of society. In the United States, young people are exploited through the trafficking industry across every state and territory regardless of age, ethnicity, and gender.

Hope is a 16-year-old church-going girl from a loving Christian family. Who would ever think this would be something that would happen to her?

Hispanic actress Luna Rivera does a great job as Hope, especially considering that she had to act out such a wide range of feelings. Taking on this emotionally demanding role required sensitivity and grit, but Rivera rose to the occasion.

Daniel Ferrell is quite charming and charismatic as Trevor, the fake friend. Too bad his character is such a jerk!

Alex Veadov plays the role of the bad guy so well, albeit in an understated way, that I couldn’t get his face out of my head after the movie, just like he haunted Hope’s dreams.

He’s the one who spoke these chilling words: “Your old life is dead. This is your new home… We tell you what to do, you do it. You don’t do what we tell you to do, you’ll pay for it.”

In other words, if she tries to run away or doesn’t cooperate, he will punish her. “The more I trust you,” he says, “the better your life is going to be.”

The creepy guy even shows her a photo of her mom, dad, and younger sister that he took himself, saying he knows where they live and threatens to hurt them, too, if she gives him any trouble.

He tattoos a mark on her arm to show which trafficking ring “owns” her, gives her a new name, and gets her hooked on drugs so he can better control her. It’s the ultimate violation of human rights.

Hope experiences pain and trauma – both physical and emotional – that most of us can’t even comprehend. Since we’re on the outside looking in, we can observe how he psychologically manipulates her, so much so that when she has a chance to escape she doesn’t even take it. Maybe she’s also suffering from Stockholm syndrome.

We also get to see a few others trapped in the same situation, including a 12-year-old girl who was lured away in broad daylight by a fakely friendly lady offering to let her look at a litter of puppies in the back of a truck. Very disturbing!

It’s nice to see the FBI and local police working together to bring the missing girls home. Hope’s grieving parents actively participate, posting flyers everywhere. But still she’s missing for TWO WHOLE YEARS.

There have been other good films about human trafficking, but this one gets going where the others end. The first half of the two-hour movie focuses on the harrowing ordeal of a teen girl who is abducted and forced into a sex trafficking ring. The second half takes place after she’s rescued, focusing on her recovery and journey to healing.

I have to say, it’s immensely satisfying to finally see the bad guy behind bars just like he kept Hope imprisoned all that time.

Alex Veadov in STILL HOPE

MOVIE REVIEW: Second Half

Inspired by the true stories of survivors, STILL HOPE aims to raise awareness about the global issue of sex trafficking. It portrays not just the rescue aspect but also highlights the resilience and courage required to heal from such profound trauma.

Moreover, the film beautifully illustrates the restorative power of forgiveness in recovering from the horrors of sex trafficking.

Freedom is just the beginning. We can’t experience true freedom until we forgive.

Forgiveness is for everyone. Do you need to forgive someone? It’s hard, I know.

It doesn’t mean what the other person did was okay. Forgiveness is not about them, it’s about us. All the hurt that we’re holding in our hearts only continues to keep harming ourselves. When we forgive, we can release all of that pain, anger, and grief. We can let go of the past and finally be free.

Forgiveness is like saying that the person no longer owns you, no longer controls you. After all, you’re not free if they still control your thoughts and emotions. That’s why forgiveness is crucial to healing.

Hope cries, “I was a normal girl until they turned me into a dropout, an addict, and a whore.” Hope complains that she had no choice in these things, the criminals kidnapped her and ruined her life. But actually she did have a choice in not getting involved with a stranger online and sneaking out behind her parent’s backs.

STILL HOPE is an important movie for teens to see so they can be made more aware of the dangers out there. Don’t be fooled by fake friends online, and don’t hide things from your parents. If you feel that you have to sneak away from home to meet someone you met online, that’s a big red flag! And seriously, when will people ever learn not to accept open drinks from anyone or leave their drinks unattended?

On the other side, be aware of your surroundings. If you ever see someone who is bleeding and bruised hiding in a public restroom, don’t be afraid to ask them if they need help. All it takes is for you to make a quick 911 call.

This movie isn’t rated, but it is suitable for teenagers. I’d say it’s comparable to PG-13 for disturbing thematic material, human peril, moderate violence, drug use, and brief language (a word that rhymes with “witch”). Nothing explicit is shown; all we see are girls in tight mini dresses.

Luna Rivera in STILL HOPE

Conclusion

This is a hard film to watch, but it’s about a timely issue that’s impossible to ignore. STILL HOPE is a powerful film that not only tells a compelling story but also seeks to educate the public about the realities of sex trafficking and emphasizes the importance of recovery resources for survivors.

Trafficking survivors often endure extreme physical, emotional, and psychological abuse, leading to complex mental health issues that require comprehensive and sensitive care. They may suffer withdrawal symptoms, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD, sleep disorders, and trust issues.

The director, Richie Johns, hopes that STILL HOPE will serve as a voice for those who have endured similar experiences and inspire audiences to support the fight against human trafficking. The theme of forgiveness in this movie would be good for anyone who has experienced trauma in their life.

STILL HOPE is an independent film produced by Pixels of Hope Studios and Studio 523, in partnership with Fathom Entertainment, which is known for distributing meaningful film projects. For more information, visit the official movie website.

Buy Tickets

When you purchase a ticket to STILL HOPE, you help shine a light on the fight against trafficking and amplify the hope this film was created to share! A portion of ticket proceeds will go towards organizations that care for victims of trafficking.

Buy your ticket now to see STILL HOPE in theaters starting February 5th!

Giveaway

Thank you so much for reading all the way to the end of this long post! Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a $10 Amazon giftcard!

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