Robert Markowitz
Markowitz pays tribute to the life of Dr. Lois Lee, founder and president of the Children of the Night foundation, which supports victims of child sex trafficking systems in America.
What once was merely research for her PhD dissertation, became a life long escapade, for Lee, to help underage children, working the streets of California, find homes and the correct support.
Throughout the film we see Kathleen Quinlan, who plays Lee, create strong unconditional bonds with sex workers putting her life at the risk of cruel police officers and a manipulative pimp. While housing many of them, she puts her loving relationship on the line, yet Lee never backs down from aiding those who need it most, often putting them before herself.
To the police officers, all these girls are nineteen, but later we find out that some can be as young as twelve. All coming from troubled families, who have abandoned them, these girls find solace with each other, which is admirable, but become dependent on their pimp, finding comfort, only to be manipulated for their monetary value.
Few will gain entertainment from this drama. But, treat it as a documentary with an honest insight into the children of the night.
Children of the Night
director ROBERT MARKOWITZ
year 1985
director of photography GIL HUBBS
cast KATHLEEN QUINLAN, NICHOLAS CAMPBELL, MARIO VAN PEEBLES, LAR PARK-LINCOLN and WALLACE LANGHAM
words PRIYESH PATEL
More to read
