This week I did a Scope about Nefarious: Merchant of Souls and I mentioned that I didn’t have a review of this documentary on Average Advocate. Considering, I wrote this post simply because this is my favorite movie on sex trafficking and I felt I wouldn’t be serving you very well by not telling you about it or Exodus Cry, the organization that produced it!
Here was my video review where I talk about how Nefarious and how sex trafficking is defined in the United States (and why that bothers moralists sometimes):
Here is a different review of mine, specifically on why Nefarious is a must-see for Christians:
Nefarious: Merchant of Souls has been one of those documentaries I’ve seen make a huge impact on others (and myself). Of course, it isn’t directly about missions (making sure the world has access to the Christian faith), but rather about caring for an oppressed population–modern slaves & sex trafficking victims. These oppressed individuals are all around the world, but are also in the United States.
I’ve watched many human trafficking documentaries and this by far the best as it covers hope for restoration. Although it is friendly for non-Christians to watch, some of the former trafficking victims share their stories and do talk about a relationship with Jesus and how that has transformed them. I feel like the producers did a great job not pushing Christianity on anyone, because that wasn’t the purpose of their movie. But they do show the stories of redemption, as told by these survivors. I feel like this helps Christians bridge that gap between themselves, whose response is driven by their faith, and other social-justice activists. I’ve watched this in a mixed group and it wasn’t “weird,” although it still gave me a chance to talk about my beliefs.
It also helps Christians deal with that “gray” area between prostitution and sex trafficking, which is something I feel the Church has a whole has a hard time with until they are required to address it head-on. I’ve had conversations with pastors of churches, even of a 10,000 member mega church, that had difficulty backing human trafficking ministries, simply because they can’t deal with the fact some women initially choose to go into that life. (Although Jesus loved prostitutes too, but, you know.) And that is the beauty of this documentary, it helps us address it and walk away with enough information to help us start recognizing how we should respond.
I Already Reviewed Nefarious!
Like a dork, after I put this whole post together, I just found my old review, from back in the day. Apparently I had reviewed it. Considering, feel free to skim through this Nefarious review too, that too, as I had a different perspective then.
Here is the Nefarious trailer:
(this is what will really sell you on it)
If you don’t want to purchase it, you can also rent Nefarious online via amazon.com:
Action Idea–Host a Screening of Nefarious: Merchant of Souls
Want to hear how an event screening Nefarious: Merchant of Souls worked-out? For the Little Black Dress Project fundraiser one year we hosted a house-full of ladies selling their goods while we ate, drank and watched this movie. It wasn’t that hard and I think anyone could pull-it off!
Here is more about how to do this action idea:
The Fundraising Project That Could Change the World
Note: depending on the group size (over 30) you might have to receive permission for screening Nefarious. Check out this page on their Nefarious documentary website for more information and how to be part of their Incurable Fanatics screening tour. I am not too sure it is always on-going, but I still advise you to touch-base with them first about how you can host this for a large group.
Exodus Cry–The Incurable Fanatics
Once upon a time, I hosted some of the team members in a Incurable Fanatics tour of the Nefarious documentary from Exodus Cry and they were pretty cool. I even bought their t-shirt. I think they enjoyed my basement guest room, but I didn’t really get to talk to them much as they had to leave early the next day for the next city.
If you want to know where Nefarious comes from, I encourage you to look at the anti-trafficking organization, Exodus Cry, as they are the organization behind this documentary. Exodus Cry focuses on prevention, intervention, and restoration. These people not only live-out their passion for justice and restoration in action, but they also pray. I don’t know if you believe in prayer, but seeing people associated with this organization pray I think just might make all skeptics believers. On another note, I looked multiple places but I could find no financials online listed for them past 2013, so take that into consideration before donating to the organization personally (for example, look here).
If you want to learn more about this documentary I encourage you to check out the website, Nefarious: Merchant of Souls.
