The Candy Shop

The Candy Shop Trailer from Brandon McCormick on Vimeo.

The Candy Shop is about 30 minutes in length, and tells the story of sexual exploitation and forced prostitution through fantastical imagery and metaphor. Set in the dirty thirties, a boy notices that an evil man is snatching girls off the street and transforming them into lollipops for sale at his candy store. The storyline is complemented by creative costumes and a nostalgic set.

I have seen plenty of films about sex trafficking, and I have to say this is one of my new favourites. Most films and books are from the point of view of the victim of trafficking or the john making a purchase, but the Candy Shop shows us the process of manipulation that experienced traffickers use to lure young boys into the business of selling flesh.

I cannot even imagine the whirlwind of thoughts running through these young boys’ minds when they are presented with the chance to run such a business.

Opportunity. Money. Fear. Temptation. Seduction. Pride. Power. Doubt.

More than anything, this film reminded me that boys need role models. Though many traffickers are downright greedy and have no regard for human life, others are just a product of the pressures they face and the manipulation they’ve endured.

Whitestone Motion Pictures has done a fantastic job with this film, from beginning to end!

(Taken from the Hope For the Sold Blog: http://www.hopeforthesold.com/film-review-the-candy-shop-documentary/)

Behind the Scenes - Production Week 1 from Whitestone Protege Program on Vimeo.