How This Moviemaker Literally Saves Lives
By Movieguide® Contributor
Producer Sean Wolfington explained why he creates movies that have real-life implications and how this content has a profound impact on the world.
Wolfington previously worked on SOUND OF FREEDOM and CABRINI, movies that share true stories with the hope of inspiring others to take action. His upcoming movie, CITY OF DREAMS, follows a similarly impactful story that he, once again, hopes will lead to real-life change.
“The film is inspired by a true story. It is about a little Mexican boy who was from Pueblo, Mexico and he has a dream to be a soccer star,” Wolfington told Movieguide®. “He was recruited by a soccer recruiter who promises him and his family that if he goes to Los Angeles, he can play on a club team that will eventually develop him to be a professional soccer star.”
“He joins this trafficker, and unfortunately, his dream of being a soccer star becomes a nightmare when that recruiter ends up becoming a trafficker who sold him to a sweatshop in downtown Los Angeles where he was held under armed guards and he and other children were, you know, put through things you could only imagine,” he continued. “Unfortunately, there’s 12 million children around the world that are victims of modern-day slavery just like this. The good news about his particular story is it is one of those children who had the courage to fight back.”
While SOUND OF FREEDOM opened the eyes of millions of people to the prevalence of modern-day slavery, CITY OF DREAMS hopes to take things a step further and expose the magnitude of the industry that exists in America.
“In both cases, the mission is the driver: to raise awareness about these unthinkable problems that are happening, not only abroad… but also right here in our backyard,” Wolfington said. “What CITY OF DREAMS shows is what happened to this boy after he was sold into slavery into downtown LA.”
“I think Mo, the director who both wrote and directed the film, did a masterful job, you know, making this [movie] wildly entertaining; it is the definition of edge of your seat…but, more importantly, it’s got the power to change and save lives.”
Wolfington not only hopes this movie will inspire audiences to root out this evil in their communities but also educate parents and kids about the dangers they could face.
“It is unfortunately all too real and, you know, for families, they need to be aware and, you know, fortunately, this is a movie that your kids and their friends would want to watch because it is wildly entertaining and thrilling, but it is also something they need to watch so they can be aware of what could happen if they trust the wrong person,” he said.
CITY OF DREAMS is in theaters now.
Check out the rest of Movieguide®’s interview here:
A portion of Movieguide®’s review reads:
CITY OF DREAMS is a harrowing drama about underground slave labor in the United States. A mute teenage Mexican boy named Jesús is trafficked across the border into Los Angeles. He thinks he’s going to attend a soccer camp for the local professional soccer team. However, he’s dropped off at a large rundown house where illegal immigrants, including young teenage children, are put to work in a sweatshop. Jesús doesn’t know anything about sewing, and he’s whipped. When another co-worker is severely beaten, he realizes the only way to save himself is to fight back, at the risk of his life.
CITY OF DREAMS features a terrific performance by Ari Lopez as the teenage boy, Jesús. There’s an exciting chase sequence, but another climactic, dramatic moment is diluted by some chaotic, artsy flourishes. CITY OF DREAMS makes an urgent plea for people to rise up against human trafficking and slave labor in America and elsewhere. However, the movie has too many gratuitous “f” words, and the beatings are disturbing. CITY OF DREAMS also has brief references to sex trafficking. MOVIEGUIDE® advises extreme caution.
