CAUSE: Human Trafficking Awareness
Calle 13 and MTV launched a project to promote animated films addressing human trafficking, child labour, and modern slavery. We were entrusted with a true story as the foundation for developing a short film narrative.
The challenge lay in portraying an extremely emotional and tragic story in a way that was both respectful to the victim and engaging enough to inspire the audience to take action. The project had a limited budget, but the story was powerful and highly relevant. We aimed to give it the feel of a true cinematic drama, using photography, shallow depth of field, and light to highlight how the victim was deceived.
The story unfolds in two distinct parts, mirroring the structure of many criminal situations that prey on vulnerable individuals.
In the first part, we show how the victim is deceived. The scene is bathed in overwhelming light, as if the camera is overexposed, symbolising how the victim cannot fully grasp reality—she is dazed and dazzled by the brightness. The second part shifts to the dark world she is pulled into, where there is little light, representing how she is now unable to see the truth due to the absence of clarity and hope.
The score was composed and recorded by Ensamble Chancho a Cuerda, an Argentinian musical ensemble known for their contemporary arrangements and improvisation. Remarkably, they created the music while watching the film in real time, recording a single track with all instruments playing together, capturing the raw emotion of the moment.
The campaign, Esclavos Invisibles (Invisible Slaves), portrayed various cases of modern-day slavery. Amplified by MTV, Calle 13, and the global NGO Exit, the films reached millions of young people across Latin America, many of whom had previously believed that slavery ended in the 19th century. This powerful campaign opened their eyes to the reality of contemporary slavery, inspiring greater awareness and action.
Calle 13 and MTV launched a project to promote animated films addressing human trafficking, child labour, and modern slavery. We were entrusted with a true story as the foundation for developing a short film narrative.
The story unfolds in two distinct parts, mirroring the structure of many criminal situations that prey on vulnerable individuals.
In the first part, we show how the victim is deceived. The scene is bathed in overwhelming light, as if the camera is overexposed, symbolising how the victim cannot fully grasp reality—she is dazed and dazzled by the brightness. The second part shifts to the dark world she is pulled into, where there is little light, representing how she is now unable to see the truth due to the absence of clarity and hope.
The score was composed and recorded by Ensamble Chancho a Cuerda, an Argentinian musical ensemble known for their contemporary arrangements and improvisation. Remarkably, they created the music while watching the film in real time, recording a single track with all instruments playing together, capturing the raw emotion of the moment.
In collaboration with Implicate for Fundación Abogacía in 2019, the short film had a private premiere for the philanthropic community. MULA is also part of the campaign’s future plans for wider distribution and fundraising efforts, helping to amplify its reach and impact.
Developed with:
England, Europe, Canada, South Africa
6 Marryat Square, London, SW66UA
Roydon Turner | Founder & CCO
Roydon@allgoodco.org
Byron Grant | Executive Producer
Byron@allgoodco.org
Argentina, North & South America, Asia
Las Retamas 20353, Bariloche
www.simbiosis.cc
Carlos@simbiosis.cc