How many teenagers do you know who would spend 1 1/2 years of their lives working on producing a film about a controversial social issue and crime?
Let us introduce you to Patricia (Tricia) Ritter who did just that. At the age of 13, Tricia learned about human trafficking and felt compelled to do something about it. What she did was focus her high school project on the creation of a 30-minute film about a fictional story of two young sisters who are trafficked over a period of years in rural Pennsylvania. Tricia and her production partner rallied their community behind them in this project, with people volunteering to act in and provide locations to shoot, including a local hotel and hospital.
In fact, one of Tricia’s mentors, Gabe, allowed some of the most heart-wrenching scenes to be shot in his cabin. He also acted as one of the “johns” in the film, a role that has impacted him to this day.
The end result was “Remember To Forget Me” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZQ5Xuz3E2E), which premiered at the Billtown Festival in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The film was also shown at the Victoria Theater in Blossburg, Pennsylvania, and funds raised during that showing were donated to an aftercare home for minors, Oasis of Hope.
It was fascinating to listen to Tricia and Gabe talk during their interview about being a part of the film that has touched many people’s lives, including their own.
Tricia is a remarkable example of what one person can do in the fight against human trafficking, and she is also a reminder that people of any age can change the world! America’s youth are a force to be reckoned with when a fire is lit in their hearts!
Thank you Gabe for letting us step into the world that was so powerfully created in the film by allowing us to shoot the interview with you and Tricia in your cabin.
Also, thank you to the beautiful Victoria Theater (http://www.victoriablossburg.com/) for letting us shoot there as well, and we hope to have a double-feature showing of “From Liberty to Captivity” and “Remember to Forget Me” there soon.
