PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2009
Press Inquiries: Hal Lipper, USAID/RDMA,  
(66-8) 9204-8725, hlipper@usaid.gov

ZHANG HANYU, YUAN QUAN & SU YOU PENG LEND VOICES
TO USAID & MTV EXIT ANIMATED FILM ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING

REGIONAL AWARENESS CAMPAIGN BRINGS INTERSECTION TO CHINA 

 

BEIJING (June 15, 2009) – Film stars Zhang Hanyu, Yuan Quan and Su You Peng said their concern about young people being deceived by human traffickers compelled them to record the Mandarin version of Intersection, an animated film about trafficking and sexual exploitation.  Intersection is produced by the MTV Foundation, with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and was recently broadcast by MTV China.

Earlier this month, the trio told a packed house at the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, in Beijing’s 798 Art District, that young people must become more aware about the dangers of human trafficking.  Their film can be downloaded in Mandarin and English free of charge at www.mtvexit.org.

“I hope this animated film stirs meaningful discussions among young people about how we can fight this form of modern-day slavery,” said Zhang, named best actor for The Assembly at the 2008 Golden Horse Awards.  Zhang plays Dulok, a trafficker, in Intersection.  Yuan is cast as a young trafficking victim forced to work in a brothel.  Su portrays a young man who pays for sex. 

The Ullens Center screening was attended by celebrities, artists, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and the international press, including Reuters.  It is part of the Asia-wide MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) campaign, which is funded by USAID.

“We’re using a different medium, animation, to alert young people about the risks of human trafficking,” said Olivier Carduner, USAID’s Mission Director for Asia.  “It adds to the body of work – documentaries, music videos, film shorts, concert specials and public service announcements – that MTV and USAID have aired to reach potential victims and to promote law enforcement and victim outreach efforts.”

Intersection is told from the perspectives of five people who are part of the trafficking chain.  Actors from throughout Asia are recording different versions Intersection in their native languages.

“I hope a lot of young people, especially women, watch this program and understand that anyone can be a victim of sex trafficking,” said Yuan, whose films include Like a Dream and Shanghai Rumba.

Projects like Intersection are a novel way to raise young people’s awareness and prevent human trafficking and exploitation, said MTV EXIT Campaign Director Simon Goff.  “The broadcast of Intersection on MTV channels and other broadcasters across Asia will help young people avoid the dangers of human trafficking,” Goff said.

MTV EXIT has reached more than 20 million people since its films Traffic and Sold were launched in China and elsewhere in Asia in 2007 with USAID’s support.  The campaign is on air, online (www.mtvexit.org) and on the ground.  MTV EXIT has partnered with more than 100 local and international non-governmental organizations across the Asia Pacific to raise awareness about human trafficking.

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