Deep Dive: I Am Jane Doe (2017)
Film Lens
I Am Jane Doe is a documentary directed by Mary Mazzio that focuses on the lawsuits filed by several American mothers against Backpage.com, a classified advertising website accused of facilitating the sex trafficking of their teenage daughters. The film features the stories of middle school girls from Boston, a 15-year-old from Seattle, and a 13-year-old from St. Louis, who are collectively referred to as 'Jane Does'. These mothers argue that Backpage.com’s business practices and website design contributed to the exploitation of their daughters, particularly in relation to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
The documentary also covers congressional actions against Backpage and the broader issue of online human trafficking. It includes interviews with notable senators such as Rob Portman, John McCain, Claire McCaskill, and Heidi Heitkamp, providing a political context to the legal battles. The film premiered on February 10, 2017, in select theaters across major cities and pledged to donate 50% of its profits to organizations aiding children affected by human trafficking.
Why Watch
- •See interviews with Senators like John McCain and Claire McCaskill.
- •Find out how Backpage.com was linked to sex trafficking.
- •Meet the mothers fighting for justice for their daughters.
Did You Know
•The film opened on February 10, 2017, in select theaters.
•50% of the film's profits were donated to non-profits for trafficking victims.
•The film holds a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 11 reviews.
•Jessica Chastain narrates the documentary.
Perfect For
Human trafficking awarenessLegal advocacyDocumentary enthusiasts