Holly (2006)

Director:

Guy Moshe

Writers:

Guy Jacobson (writer)
Guy Moshe (writer)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Out of thousands, he tried to save one.

Plot:

In Cambodia, Holly, a 12 year old Vietnamese girl, encounters Patrick, an American stolen artifacts dealer. The story follows their strong connection and her unrelenting efforts to escape her fate.

Plot Keywords:

Character Name In Title

Cast

Ron Livingston	...	Patrick
Chris Penn	...	Freddie
Udo Kier	...	Klaus
Virginie Ledoyen	...	Marie
Thuy Nguyen	...	Holly
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Sahajak Boonthanakit	...	Tommy
Srey Cham	...	Girl #3
Kosal Dang	...	Kiri
Mudha Dann	...	Police Officer
Kun Daravann	...	Police Lieutenant
Sethy Dy	...	Prak
Adi Ezroni	...	Emma
Hugh Kirk	...	Backpacker #1
Trungta Kositchimongkol	...	Ma
Lina	...	Girl #2
Teerawat Mulvilai	...	Ohn
Net Ngo	...	Cafe Owner
Tor Nhim	...	Boat Crew Member
David Ohm	...	Kid
Montakan Ransibrahmanakul	...	Mama San
Keo Ratha	...	Captain
Kem Sereyvuth	...	Gas Vendor
Keo Seriemony	...	Dacil
Chit Socheata	...	Girl 1
Tharinee Songkiatthana	...	Barbara
Pen Sopheap	...	Gang Leader
Hun Sophy	...	Thom
Hy Sorim	...	Doctor
Pornpatchaya Supannarat	...	Lan
Osnat Tamir	...	Sharon
Bun Tana	...	Broker #2
Sorn Tola	...	Girl #1
Chaiyaporn Torphorn	...	Vibal
Chhor Van	...	Broker #3
Sou Viseth	...	Broker #1
Kowit Wattanakul	...	Vietnamese Official

MPAA:

Rated R for disturbing sexual situations involving children, and for language.

Runtime:

114 min

Country:

USA | France | Israel | Cambodia

Language:

English | Khmer | Vietnamese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Cambodia

Company:

Priority Films

Trivia:

Tom Sizemore was originally slated to play Freddie but after being arrested for failing several drug tests, he was dropped from the production and replaced by 'Chris Penn' .

I would 'Trade' it in for 'Holly'

Child 'Sexploitation' is one of the most serious issues facing our world today and I feared that any film on the topic would jump straight to scenes of an explicitly sexual nature in order to shock and disturb the audience. After having seen both 'Trade' and 'Holly', one film moved me to want to actually see a change in international laws. The other felt like a poor attempt at making me cry for five minutes with emotive music and the odd suicide.

I do not believe that turning this issue into a Hollywood tear jerker is a useful or necessary strategy to adopt and I must commend the makes of 'Holly' for engaging subtly but powerfully with the terrible conditions these children are sadly forced to endure. 'Trade' wavered between serious and stupid with scenes involving the death of a cat coming after images that represented children being forced to commit some horrendous acts. I found this unengaging and at times offensive to the cause. If I had wanted a cheap laugh I would not have signed up for a film on child trafficking.

For anyone who would like to watch a powerful film that actually means something I would suggest saving the money on the cinema ticket for the release of 'Holly'.