A couple of other reviewers give this film one star because it very pointedly exposes Backpage for being complicit in, and even participating in, the pimping of underage girls. These reviewers claim that viewers are expecting to hear stories of human trafficking instead of the story of a court battle against Backpage. Isn't it nice that we have these guys to tell us what we should expect? Other reviewers seem to be put off by the title, calling it "misleading". The court cases in the doc are Jane Doe cases, hence this film's title. How is that in any way misleading? This documentary outlines the stories of the girl involved in the court cases against Backpage. The court cases identify the girls by "Jane Doe" and by the girls' initials, and the documentary identifies them the same way when they are interviewed on camera. The allegations presented in this film are that Backpage, in essence, operates as a pimp by proxy, and that the only reason Backpage is legally protected is because it is an internet site. The vague wording of the CDA, an act that was instituted while the internet was still in its infancy, provides a cloak of protection for almost all of Backpage's actions. This even seems to be true when Backpage's CEO openly defies a Congressional subpoena.
As another reviewer stated, prostitution is, indeed, as old as time. Forcing underage children to perform sex acts is certainly as old as time as well. Both of those things also happen to be illegal in the USA. Invoking the "old as time" adage does not excuse the misconduct of individuals and business entities who promote illegal acts. This documentary, while maybe not outstanding in cinematic terms (there's quite a lot of repeat use of stock footage, for example), sheds light on an important issue. The ongoing court battles against Backpage exemplify the prejudice that victims face, the constant belittling of their experiences, and a judiciary that quite openly favors big business over human rights.
What this documentary really lacks, from my personal perspective, is an insight into why the customers in the human trafficking equation do not suffer any repercussions. Or do they? I would love to see an investigation into that. If it has repeatedly been upheld that Backpage (or insert whatever other publication you want) is an innocent intermediary, then what about the *actual* pimps? What about those that are committing the direct crime of purchasing these services and raping young girls?
As another reviewer stated, prostitution is, indeed, as old as time. Forcing underage children to perform sex acts is certainly as old as time as well. Both of those things also happen to be illegal in the USA. Invoking the "old as time" adage does not excuse the misconduct of individuals and business entities who promote illegal acts. This documentary, while maybe not outstanding in cinematic terms (there's quite a lot of repeat use of stock footage, for example), sheds light on an important issue. The ongoing court battles against Backpage exemplify the prejudice that victims face, the constant belittling of their experiences, and a judiciary that quite openly favors big business over human rights.
What this documentary really lacks, from my personal perspective, is an insight into why the customers in the human trafficking equation do not suffer any repercussions. Or do they? I would love to see an investigation into that. If it has repeatedly been upheld that Backpage (or insert whatever other publication you want) is an innocent intermediary, then what about the *actual* pimps? What about those that are committing the direct crime of purchasing these services and raping young girls?