One-to-oneUgly truthIn conversation with us, Miss World Bulgaria 2019, Margo Cooper, talks about her new documentary that is based on human trafficking. Read on:
Caption: Margo Cooper
What was the purpose of your visit to India?
India is one of my favourite countries and I used to even live there at some point. I decided to make my trip meaningful and thus came about my first documentary about human trafficking in India. I visited one of the centres that rescue girls from sex slavery.
What inspired you to make a documentary?
I’m very passionate about philanthropy and helping others. I like to watch documentaries that highlight the reality of the world and I have noticed that most of them don’t provide any information on how to help. So, I decided to do such a project myself.
How did you get to know about Triveni Acharya and her Rescue Foundation?
I did some research and contacted them. There are more such organisations in India that are fighting against human trafficking but I was impressed by the fact that Triveni Acharya has spent 20 years of her life to the cause.
In the description of your short film, it says ‘uncomfortable subject’.What made you write that?
It’s a very unpopular subject to highlight because people don’t know that red light districts are full of young girls who are forced into it. I believe in humanity and I know that there are a lot of people who would like to help but don’t know how.
This short film has captured the lives and hardships that sex workers go through. Can you share an experience or a story of one of the girls?
I can’t even call them sex workers because they were trapped in brothels. It’s a very common practice that a girl is lied to by her parents that she will be working as a domestic help but is sold away. The conditions are horrible, some of them live in cages and there is no light at the end of a tunnel, no hope for them. All of them are from the rural areas of India or neighbouring countries.
What do you think is the root cause of human trafficking?
Poverty… Human trafficking and especially sex trafficking is an antihuman tragedy, an ugly spot in the world.
