IslandGuru Who payed the critics

Zandra The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Jerrie It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

Staci Frederick Blistering performances.

Paul Magne Haakonsen I happened to find "Sold" by random luck, and after having read the synopsis of the movie, I decided to give it a watch, because the synopsis sounded like a storyline that could make for an emotional and interesting movie.It happened to turn out that "Sold" was quite entertaining, especially because it was very believable, and it had some very convincing performances from the cast. Of course, it deals with a rather disturbing topic, but something that actually does take place around the world. And the fact that this is something that could very well happen around the world adds authenticity to the movie."Sold" is the type of movie that gets under your skin and sticks with you for a long, long time. And a big round of applause should go out to writer Joseph Kwong, as well as writer and director Jeffrey D. Brown for the result that they accomplished with this movie.The cast in "Sold" really performed amazingly well in this movie, and that statement applies to everyone on the cast ensemble. I was especially impressed with Niyar Saikia (playing Lakshmi), as she at that young age carried the movie so well and performed really well. Initially I was a little bit hesitant about Gillian Anderson being in the movie, but it turned out that she surprised with her performance here. It should also be said that Sushmita Mukherjee (playing Mumtaz).While you might be appalled by what happens throughout the course of the movie, remember that it is just a movie. But the impact of the storyline and the events portrayed herein have that much more sway to them as you know that things like this actually happen across the world.If you enjoy dramas that are based on real life events, then "Sold" is definitely a movie that you should take the time to sit down and watch.

juliabolz As an international human rights lawyer and social justice activist for women and girls, I've seen a great deal of poverty and oppression. This film, however, poignantly manages to capture what few of us have ever seen, much less imagine -- child trafficking. While the overall story is one of tragedy, the outcome is one of hope. Namely, the "voice of the voiceless" emerges, and it is engaging, empowering, educating, and inspiring. I was transformed. Thank you for caring about these children and for sharing their powerful story with us, reminding us that we are all connected and what happens to "our sisters" on one side of the world affects us all. Because of its important message, the film is definitely a compelling tool for students, families and communities to learn more about human trafficking, the challenges girls face in the developing world, and ways we can each help these girls and make a difference.

drfleek Sold is a superb and essential film in myriad ways. The excellent acting, beautiful scenery, and important subject matter create an immersive and eye-opening theatrical experience like none I've had previously. From the moment the film began, I felt like I was there, present in Nepal, watching from the sidelines. The use of color is fantastic throughout, and the cast was picked with care and precision. Knowing that this story is based on the millions of true and horrifying experiences of so many young girls made viewing the movie a strong emotional experience as well. It's imperative to get this subject into the public eye, to increase awareness and evoke empathy and action! Absolutely not to be missed.

momtazbh SOLD is an uncomfortable watch. A 13-year-old girl is repeatedly raped and as the viewer, we have to sit back and witness it, glancing away from the screen because at times it's too difficult to fathom, or perhaps taking brief looks while shuffling in our seats trying hard to focus on something else, just to get through the movie.The film is based on a novel of the same name by Patricia McCormick. It centres on a young Nepali girl who is sold by her father unknowingly to a brothel in India. She is taken here against her will, beaten, tortured and raped until she finally escapes.An estimated 20,000 children are trafficked from Nepal every year, a figure that is rising. It is not an issue exclusive to the country, but a form of human slavery that exists all over the world; a subject that Director Jeffrey Brown aims to raise awareness about through his debut film.There is little respite, just a few moments of joy when the children of the brothel are given brief opportunities to be kids such as flying kites and dropping waterbombs on unsuspecting passers by made from condoms – but there's no 'happy ending' to look forward to. Life for these women is depicted just as it is in reality – difficult, desperate, depressing…all the negatives you can think of.Who is this film for? It doesn't exist to 'entertain' or make viewers come out and think 'I loved that film' – it serves a different purpose. One that we often overlook in filmmaking. It has the power to change things. SOLD will make you reassess your own situation, spark discussion and raise awareness. It may even give hope to the women around the world who are in this situation as there are plans to screen it in schools, colleges and centres to educate people. At the very least it will give you an insight into a world you will never experience – something it does with passion and sensitivity.SOLD takes a while to digest but it's a film that is bold, brave and necessary: something you can't say about the majority of movies that are churned out of Hollywood and Bollywood.