Glitter&Gumbo attended an insightful Houston screening of the “Truffle Sauce,” film which highlights the ramifications of Human Trafficking in our society.
Houston natives Isaac Yowman (Director/Cinematographer) and Shannan E. Johnson (Writer/Executive Producer) are working fearlessly to spread awareness of this “Truffle Sauce” short film with an 8-stop tour in H-Town. This collaborative effort is a labor of love among Houston & LA Based production company, IYO Visuals, United Against Human Trafficking, The Landing, Twelve 11 Partners, and Faith Collaborative.
At first glance, one would think a new truffle sauce has emerged for all cooking enthusiasts to admire and add to their recipes. However, truffles are considered a luxury ingredient that grows underground and blends into its environment. Therefore, one must dig into the soil to get at the root of the truffle to truly understand its flavor and origin.
Audiences will be intrigued by the lead character Tweet, portrayed by Simone Haines, as she navigates a world outside of sex human trafficking through a 16oz jar of truffle sauce. Viewers will dig into the root of Tweet’s pain and trauma to unlock a conversation of authenticity. “I wanted Tweet to feel real and tell a story that is impactful,” states Yowman to the theater audience.
The Human Trafficking statistics are insane. According to The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 50,000 people have been trafficked into Texas annually. In addition, Houston is #1 among cities in the United States for trafficking, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
An overcomer named Kim D. shared her journey to freedom at the Houston screening to provide a real-world narrative of how easy it is to get trapped as a victim in this $32Billion illegal activity. “Yes, the sex is in it, the trafficking is in it, but what it all boils down to is the money. So you gotta start cutting the money off,” Kim D. states as the audience certainly agrees with applause. With the help of this “Truffle Sauce” short 16-20 minute film, viewers will no longer be able to turn a blind eye to the world that is happening right before our eyes.
The cast and crew did a fantastic job with this project, and thankfully, audiences worldwide will now have an opportunity to view “Truffle Sauce” when it premieres digitally on Blavity.com next month. Yowman and Johnson plan to make their rounds in the festival circuit, and I hope to see “Truffle Sauce” entered into the SXSW shorts category because, in my opinion, it will be a strong contender.
ABOUT TRUFFLE SAUCE
“Truffle Sauce”, written by Shannan E. Johnson and directed by IYO Visuals CEO, Isaac Yowman, is a coming-of-age drama short that examines how trauma presents itself when unhealed through the lens of a misguided 25-year-old college student trying to escape the grips of human trafficking by selling truffle sauce.
If you or someone you know needs help, please use the following resources and Human Trafficking Anonymous Hotline below.
