Eden

Narrative Feature Competition
D: Megan Griffiths; with Jamie Chung, Matt O’Leary, Beau Bridges

To call this a magnificently told tale would discount its history, undersell its breathtaking cinematography, and vastly oversimplify the nuanced tragedy Megan Griffiths has brought to life. Based on one woman’s true story (but no doubt informed by hundreds or thousands of others), Eden bravely examines an unsavory atrocity, a corner of our society that media largely ignores and many desperately try to forget: human trafficking and sex slavery. As the young, abducted Hyun Jae (renamed Eden in captivity), Jamie Chung gives a dynamic performance, exhibiting extraordinary growth in her character as she attempts to usurp power from those depraved degenerates who have taken everything from her. Her climb toward empowerment is wholly captivating. Combine that with an entrancing soundtrack, the beauty of the immense landscape, and a truly impressive supporting cast, and it’s hard to deny Eden‘s success. This is a visceral, haunting work that will not soon be forgotten by any who see it.

Thursday, March 15, 3:30pm, Alamo Ritz

This article appears in March 16 • 2012.

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