Review: Very Young Girls

Attention anyone who has ever had a bad opinion of prostitutes and "the Life." "The Life," I have learned from this movie is the name given to the realm of the prostitute, her pimp and the johns. You need to watch the movie "Very Young Girls," a movie that will, hopefully, change your rather insensitive view of prostitutes.

"Very Young Girls" is a documentary about trying to rehabilitate young prostitutes out of 'the life' and the trials to remove her from said world. The movie states that most prostitutes enter their profession at age 13-14 years old, which also is the average age for most females who have to endure this type of lifestyle. "Very Young Girls" introduces the organization "GEMS," Girls Educational and Mentoring Services which is homed in New York City, ran by a former prostitute (?)named Rachael whose goal is to help young girls continue their lives separated and away from prostitution and other forms of sexual exploitation. She tries to instill self-esteem and work skills into the young girls but many seem to fall back into their pimps' lives.

The removal of girls from the strong arm of their pimps is not an easy task. Most of these girls feel a strong attachment to their pimps, either as a loving or parental force. This may be hard to believe but living the life is sometimes an easy trade for love and belonging. Something that most of these girls do not receive from their own homes or parents. Many of the girls featured in this movie offer a narration of how they met and developed their relationship with their pimps which led them to become prostitutes.

This story is rather sad and tugs at the heartstrings, as awfully cliche as that sounds. Another striking part of this documentary of the inclusion of home videos featuring a snippet of what may happen in form of manipulation and coercion between a pimp and his "hoe." These tapes were collected as evidence against two pimps, made by the pimps themselves.

It's a powerful film and I believe that everyone who cares about children and those who don't should watch it!