Watch Blowin' Up

Blowin' Up is a 2018 documentary film directed by Stephanie Wang-Breal. The movie follows a group of women who work at a human trafficking court in Queens, New York. The film takes an in-depth look at the work that these women do every day to help victims of human trafficking and sex work, and how they are changing the criminal justice system in order to better serve these vulnerable communities.

The film begins by introducing us to the main characters: Judge Toko Serita, who presides over the human trafficking court; Eliza Hook, an advocate at the court who works with women who are survivors of trafficking and sex work; and Kim Affronti, a public defender who is assigned to represent some of the accused traffickers. We are also introduced to some of the women who come through the court, either as victims or accused traffickers.

Through a series of interviews and scenes from the court, Blowin' Up explores the complex and often heartbreaking stories of these women. We see Judge Serita in action, as she ensures that the women who come through her court are treated with dignity and respect. We also see Eliza Hook and her team of advocates, who work tirelessly to provide support and resources to the survivors of trafficking and sex work.

One of the most powerful aspects of Blowin' Up is its focus on the humanity and individuality of the women involved. Through interviews with both the victims and the traffickers, the film highlights the fact that these women are real people, with hopes and dreams and fears, who have been caught up in a brutal and often violent industry. Rather than portraying them as helpless victims or calculating criminals, the film allows their voices to be heard, giving them agency and respect.

Blowin' Up also explores the ways in which the criminal justice system fails these women, and how the human trafficking court is attempting to rectify those failures. The film shows the challenges faced by both the victims and the lawyers working on their behalf, and the immense effort required to even begin to address the complex issues involved.

Throughout the film, there is a sense of hope and determination. Despite the overwhelming obstacles faced by these women, their advocates, and the court, they are all working toward a better future, one in which justice is served and lives are changed. Blowin' Up is a powerful testament to the resilience and strength of these women, and to the people who work tirelessly to help them.

Overall, Blowin' Up is an incredibly well-crafted documentary, which sheds light on an often-overlooked aspect of our society. It is an urgent and necessary film, which deserves to be seen by as many people as possible.

Blowin' Up is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 97 hours. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.