There’s a big difference between the movie, Not Today, opening in Madison Friday, May 31st, and the typical Hollywood summer blockbuster. The blockbuster’s purpose is to funnel millions of dollars into the coffers of the Hollywood producers. Not Today’s purpose is to invite you to care about a global issue effecting millions of vulnerable women and children, and their families: human trafficking.
A couple of other differences: Not Today was produced by a church, Friends Church in Yorba Linda, California, and brought to Madison by a local website–this one, madisonchristians.com–to benefit a locally-based organization–We International–which is dedicated to combatting human trafficking. With the assistance of some local partners, we are inviting Madison area residents to see Not Today during its run at Marcus Point Cinema, May 31-June 6.
Movie Made by a Church
Friends Church has made a commitment through the Dalit Freedom Network to invest $20 million to build 200 schools for the under-privileged Dalit children of India. Out of that commitment has come this compelling drama that has picked up a number of film festival awards. Not Today stars Cody Longo (Hollywood Heights), John Schneider (Dukes of Hazzard, Smallville), and Shari Rigby (The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful), with other Hollywood veterans, plus Persis Karen, a Dalit whose school is funded by the Dalit Freedom Network.
All proceeds go to the Dalit school project and WE International. Attendees are invited to use their new understanding of human trafficking and modern slavery to take further steps toward its elimination.
People are Not Commodities
“People are not commodities to be bought and sold, used and abused, and the discarded,” said WE International founder and co-director David Lippiatt. “Modern day slavery should not exist yet the global slave trade today is larger than it was during the pre-Civil War transatlantic slave trade. It’s the second largest illegal money making activity in the world next to drug trafficking, and the sad reality is that humans are often sold over and over again, whereas drugs are often sold and consumed.”
WE International is actively involved with the rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration of women caught in human trafficking, and is dedicated to seeing their lives restored emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
Get Involved
“I hope Not Today causes people to be involved in the issue in some way,” David said. “If you knew someone was being held like an animal–coerced, defrauded or manipulated, and needed rescue–would you not do what you can to help? What will happen if no one helps? I believe there is a moral responsibility on all of us as humans to help our fellow man in need.”
For information on Madison show times, and to buy tickets to Not Today, check the nottodaymoviemadison.com website.
UPDATE: The local ABC affiliate covered the opening of Not Today in Eau Claire.