Formidable Men spoke to the cast of the new film, Angie: Lost Girls written and directed by Veteran Filmmaker, Julia Verdin. Julia is also the Founder of Artists for Change, a non-profit organization with a mission to create high impact film, television, and multimedia projects to inspire individuals, organizations, and communities to bring about positive social change. www.artists4change.org
Angie: Lost Girls is about the challenges trafficking survivor, sixteen-year-old Angie, faces with re-integrating with her family and reclaiming her self worth whilst combating ongoing threats to herself and loved ones from traffickers. The film stars Olivia d’Abo, Dylan Sprayberry, Antony Montgomery, Randolph Batinkoff, Jane Widdup, M.C. Lyte, and Amin Joseph. The film garnered attention on the festival circuit and won several awards including Best Social Impact film at The Culver City Film festival.
FMM: Actor Ron Esfandiari, How did you prepare for the role of undercover detective, Liam?
I visited the LA County Sherriff Human Trafficking division and shadowed them for a day. There was a detective there that sort of walked me through everything they do, and how the traffickers operate. A lot of trafficking is done by someone the victim knows.
FMM: How or why did you get involved in Angie: Lost Girls?
I met Julia Verdin through my friend Sean. It seemed like a very interesting project and I was happy to be part of it. I loved getting the opportunity to shadow the cops who fight Human Trafficking.
FMM: What can men do to help stop the epidemic of child trafficking?
If you see something, say something. A lot of trafficking has moved online, so it’s hard to do anything without alerting police. Unless you’re Liam Neeson of course.
FMM: What other men have inspired you and why?
I try to always think WWDD. What would Denzel do? He’s definitely a role model for me. He seems to always approach everything with a level head, and with integrity.
FMM: What are your hopes for the film and has your involvement in Anglie: Lost Girls and Artists for Change, Inspired you to get more socially active?
I’ve definitely learned a lot about human trafficking; it’s not just sex trafficking, a lot of trafficking is for labor. And a lot of police departments don’t have a large enough task force.
FMM: Actor Marty Dew, What are some of your favorite projects that you have worked on and why?
I’ve had a couple of projects that I’ve worked on that were big moments in time for me. The first being when I got to combine acting and dancing in the movie ‘You Got Served’. I initially read for the opposing team’s leader, but that didn’t seem to be a good fit so the Director decided to write my role in the script for me. There was a huge sense of community making the film and it was a staple in the dance industry. The second project that was a dream come true for me was working with the Christopher Guest in ‘Mascots’. Growing up, I’ve always enjoyed his movies and loved his humor, so working with him one-on-one was an experience I will never forget.
FMM: How or why did you get involved with Angie: Lost Girls?
I remember reading the script and being enthralled in the story because it was something I had never read. I’ve always “heard” about trafficking but it had never been on the page in my lap before. This was a new level and the role, Deacon, that I was reading for was not the protagonist. To put it lightly, he was the guy you abhorred in the story. However, I felt it was an important story to be told and life is not always the fairy tale we imagine it to be. The good, the bad, the ugly. The truth.
FMM: What scene was emotionally the hardest for you in the film?
A lot of my scenes were emotionally difficult to film and I believe I spent a lot of time in the depths of my psyche. One scene, in particular, hit me in the gut though. That was when Nala was introduced into our lair with her child. The tables quickly turn and I am responsible for separating them against her will. Sharmita’s commitment to her performance as she is torn away while screaming “give me back my baby” was so heart-wrenching that I was moved to tears when “cut” was called. She held nothing back, and in those moments, it was real.
FMM: How did you prepare for your character and what did you learn about trafficking?
The preparation for my character was done through research of published articles, documentaries and stories about survivors. They are the ones who can tell what actually happened from their own experience. I tried to consume as much content as possible, even researching while still on set filming during breaks to stay in the mind frame. After the initial dive in to the world was started, I started to look at how I could find a redeemable quality in Deacon. I didn’t want to just “be a bad guy”. There is a reason he is in this position and chose that lifestyle. One thing I learned is that there is no corner of the Earth that is safe from predators and people looking to profit off of others’ vulnerabilities. It exists in the biggest of cities and smallest of towns.
FMM: What can men do to stop the epidemic of child trafficking?
The main thing I think men can do to help stop this epidemic is to SPEAK UP when they see something they know isn’t right. Too many times over, silence is complicit. I think it’s important to educate ourselves on signs we can watch out for, such as grooming.
FMM: What other men have inspired you and why?
Any man who uses his time on this Earth to better educate themselves, see another’s perspective and use those tools to help this place to be a better environment for ALL to enjoy is an inspiration to me. To me, leaders have a quality of community, inclusivity and the courage to go against the grain.
FMM: What are your hopes for the film and has your involvement in Anglie: Lost Girls and Artists for Change, Inspired you to get more socially active?
My hope for the film is to simply spread awareness. It is a tough topic to discuss, but Artists for Change has done it in a way that is factual and, therefore, you learn as you watch this harrowing story. I have definitely been inspired to be more socially active and will continue to educate and share. I believe we all have the power to create ripple effects, so if I can reach just one person…I have done my job.
Randall Batinkoff is a veteran actor with over 40 years of experience in the entertainment industry. He is an experienced director, writer and producer. He plays the role of Dan in Angie: Lost Girls.
FMM: What are some of your favorite projects that you have worked on and why?
I loved working on “School Ties” because it was such a bonding experience. Matt Damon and I were roommates for the entire run of the film, and most of the other Actors had roommates as well. It was totally like really being in boarding school. We knew we were making something special and the energy was amazing. “The Player” was incredible because of Robert Altman and the world he brings together and the mad fun he creates on and off the set. I have enough stories from that film to last several hours. Dead Man’s Curve was also very boding and the energy was incredible. Same with a few other films like “As Good as it Gets”, “The Last Champion” and “Lost Girls”. When there is something greater than yourself moving everyone in the right direction it’s pretty awesome. In the “Lost Girl’s” case it was trying to help put an end to human trafficking by exposing it. Julia was very inspiring.
FMM: How or why did you get involved in Angie: Lost Girls?
The script was great, Julia had a real vision, subject matter was too necessary to walk away from, and the role was extremely challenging.
FMM: How did you prepare for the role?
I spent a lot of time with the script, just imagining the harrowing circumstances presented. It was all on the page, just needed to go where it asked you to go. Also learning about human trafficking really made me disgusted and upset.
FMM: What scene was emotionally the hardest for you in the film?
Hearing Angie tell me, as her father, that she has been beaten, abused and raped repeatedly. Hearing it from her mouth was devastating. That was the final straw, and my character at that point can no longer hold it together.
FMM: What can men do to stop the epidemic of child trafficking?
Education, education, education. Beware of strangers, especially with one’s bearing candies. Make kids and parents aware of the possibilities that they are being seduced, and the tactics being used. And let them know that there are some very dangerous and evil people out there. Get as many people as possible to watch this film!
FMM: What key thing did you learn through playing Dan in the film and what advice would you share with parents?
This is not something you ever want to go through as a parent. Be on guard. Listen to your children, don’t let them out of your sight unless you are 100% sure the environment is safe.
FMM: What other men have inspired you and why?
There are many role models. People like John Lewis who take on discrimination, and put their lives on the line. Doctors who save people daily. Dr. Fauci. Governor Cuomo. Artists like Daniel Day Lewis and Bryan Cranston who transcend the norm and wonderful filmmakers like Vince Gilligan and Innaratu who keep reinventing the genre and making it better. People who live and follow their dreams without trampling on people.
FMM: What are your hopes for the film and has your involvement in Anglie: Lost Girls and Artists for Change, Inspired you to get more socially active?
I hope many people see this film. Yes, I will be getting more involved in putting an end to this scourge, I promise you that.
FMM: Tom Wallerstein- Editor of Film– You have been working for a long time as a top TV Editor. What are some of the favorite shows you have worked on and why?
My favorite show to work on over the years has been Arrow. I really love the intense action and visual effects associated with it. Sequestered, was another fun show to work on. It had lots of challenges that were fun and took lots of creativity to weave the storyline. Kyle XY was a fun, mysterious sci-fi show. Filled with family drama as well as some action scenes. Greek was fun, goofy and very light hearted. All while showing how family members stick together. Batwoman seems to be a collection of them all. Family drama, big action scenes, lots of visual effects and ground breaking story lines.
FMM: How or why did you get involved in Angie: Lost Girls?
One of my dear friends, Sean Michael Acosta asked me if I’d be interested in helping out on one of his projects. He mentioned the severity of the current situation revolving around trafficking. It was one of the most noble of causes to help spread the word to let people know this problem needs attention to help stop it.
FMM: What was your biggest editing challenge with the film?
The biggest challenge was the darkness of the situation. Putting in perspective, this isn’t just a Hollywood movie from a made up story line. This was based on real life situations and that women were being treated so horribly. Knowing these young girls were victimized like this, was truly horrifying.
FMM: Did you know much about the issue before editing the film and what was most sholing to you about trafficking?
I admit, I was not as aware as I am now about trafficking. Or the extent of the problem. The shocking part is how widespread it is.
FMM: What can men do to help stop the epidemic of child trafficking?
I am sure there are quite a few things. One, if you have children in that age range, make them aware of the signs. Talk to them and have an open dialect to where they can speak to you about anything or anyone that makes them uncomfortable. Another thing is spreading the word about the travesty these young children are going through. I think making more people aware will shed light on this and allow others to keep their eyes out for suspicious activity.
FMM: What are your hopes for the film and has your involvement in Angie: Lost Girls and Artists for Change, Inspired you to get more socially active?
I hope this film can make a positive impact on this situation. Making more people aware of this issue as well as educating those on the signs that these young women are suffering from.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/KP-fmuXrooQ
www.artists4change.org
