“Caged No More” is a cinematic drama meant to engage and educate audiences on the realities of human trafficking. The film took top honors at the La Femme Film Festival in Los Angeles, Ca. winning the award for “Best Feature” and was also the top award winner at the Kingdomwood Film Festival in October 2015.
Inspired by real events, “Caged No More” is the story of Aggie Prejean (Emmy award-winner Loretta Devine, “Grey’s Anatomy”), a grandmother on a search to find her two granddaughters, Skye (Cassidy Gifford, “God’s Not Dead”) and Elle (Abigail Duhon, “God’s Not Dead”), who have been kidnapped by their sinister father (Kevin Sorbo, “God’s Not Dead”, “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys”). As the details of the girls’ disappearance begin to unravel, it is discovered that they have been taken overseas to be sold into the sex trade. Aggie enlists the help of the girls’ uncle, a well-respected local philanthropist, Richard DuLonde (also played by Sorbo), and his son, Wil (Alan Powell, “The Song”), who is former Special Forces. A global hunt ensues, and the team will stop at nothing to see the girls safely returned home.
The drama, based on Molly Venzke’s novel of the same title, was adapted for screen by co-producer Lisa Arnold and Venzke. The film features Gov. Bobby Jindal, Pastor Chad Veach, Grammy Award-nominated Christian recording artist Natalie Grant, singer-songwriters Anthony Evans and Kathie Lee Gifford and news anchor Gretchen Carlson. “Caged No More” releases Jan. 22 nationwide.
The Technique had the honor of interviewing the director, co-writer and producer, Lisa Arnold.
Technique: Why were you attracted to this story?
Arnold: Once you learn about human trafficking and the fact that it’s happening in our own back yard, you can’t close that door. We have to fight back and protect and educate our children. “Caged No More” is meant to “get the conversation started”. If we can all recognize it, come to the realization that it’s all around us and understand that education is key to prevention, we can take on this modern day form of slavery.
Technique: Why does “Caged No More” matter?
Arnold: My partner and I strive to make films that carry a message. We want our movies to inspire, encourage and challenge us in some way. “Caged No More” is so much more than a film; it’s about taking on the fastest growing crime in the world today. Every 30 seconds someone becomes a victim to this horrific act. We have to start speaking out against this injustice!
Technique: Beyond getting the message out, what do you hope to achieve with this film?
Arnold: Honesty, we pray it saves lives. For every parent that takes their young teenagers to this film, the conversation can start. We have carefully crafted our script so that things are suggested, not shown, so that moms can take their 13, 14, 15 year olds to this film and in a non-threatening way, introduce them to trafficking and then go home and have that important conversation. What is trafficking? How does it happen? How are our youth at risk?
Technique: Do you have plans for any more films of this nature?
Arnold: “Caged” is a trilogy. While the first helps us all to understand that trafficking is all around us, the second takes a look at what happens to the girls once they are rescued. From what we hear from the anti-human trafficking groups, this is the longest part of the recovery and the hardest to raise funds for. Our third film will go global with a big blow out in South Africa. We are in this for the long haul and want to do all we can to help fight it!
Technique: As a native Georgian, do you have plans to return for the theatrical release?
Arnold: I would love that! Icon Media Group is arranging all of the appearances, but I will certainly suggest that to them. I will be doing a church screening tour after theatrical and will be in quite a few churches in Georgia. Anyone interested can contact us at cagednomoremovie.com.
Technique: What is your next project?
Arnold: We have already filmed our next project. It’s a wonderful family film called “Camp Cool Kids” which stars Leigh-Allyn Baker (“Good Luck Charlie”), Michael Gross (“Family Ties”), Markie Post (“Night Court”), Tyree Brown (“Parenthood”) and Connor Rosen (“Fresh Off the Boat”). We are in post-production right now and are looking at a summer theatrical release. Also, we are in pre-production on a political film entitled “One Nation Under God” which is definitely close to our “God’s Not Dead” roots. We are also producing a wonderful film based on a true story “Beautifully Broken” which will shoot in Louisiana and South Africa. You can keep up with our projects at filmincito.com.
“Caged No More” was produced by Check the Gate Productions’ Lisa Arnold (“God’s Not Dead”) and Red Entertainment Group’s Jarred Coates (“God’s Not Dead”) in association with GND Media Group and Film Incito. “Caged No More” was filmed on location in Baton Rouge, La., and in Athens, Greece.