This is why the producers of Daddy Issues teamed up with experts that have experienced some form of human trafficking. “This isn’t based on one true story of a particular person, but it’s a project that’s been researched thoroughly; we’ve talked with experts and survivors, a combination of different stories, which convey reality,” says Gurvitz.
One of the advisors to the film is Lourdes Nieto, a Chicago police officer that works with human trafficking victims, as well as spends her time bringing awareness on the issue. “I am very excited to be an advisor to the project, which is why I brought on a real victim survivor that could give the writers and producers a real opinion,” says Nieto. As advocates, we can take all the training and have all the book knowledge, but at the end of the day it’s the opinion of victims that really matter.
Monica Raymond, one of the actresses from the show Chicago Fire partnered up with the Hidden Tears Project and she will be directing the film. “When a celebrity like Monica Raymund who is in Chicago Fire and is loved by so many directs a film, it takes on another beast,” says Nieto. Currently they are fundraising $25,000, which will cover the costs of making the film. Anything else they earn from the film will be given to the following non-profits that focus on helping human trafficking victims: Right’s for Girls, TraffickFree and Salvation Army’s PROMISE Program. Filming for Daddy Issues is expected to begin at the end of February, visit HiddenTearsProject.org and donate to their IndieGoGo campaign to help raise funds for the film and organizations. The film is expected to hit Chicago theaters this fall.
