Rose in Paradise

Rose in Paradise is a human trafficking documentary that raises a profound question: are people regarded merely as commodities, or is there something inherently more valuable within us? The film seeks answers from trafficking victims trapped in the sex industry, and features individuals who work behind the scenes to assist and support them in the sun-lit landscapes of Cyprus. The primary target audience comprises upper-grade and high school students.

The documentary provides insight into why human trafficking has become a major problem in today’s world, exploring the factors that contribute to its persistence and growth. It also highlights how both young and older individuals who spend time online around the globe can take meaningful action and make a difference.

Although trafficking is a difficult subject, the documentary is filmed in a realistic manner without excessive cruelty, so it remains suitable for sensitive viewers and younger audiences. It centers on real stories and emphasizes that trafficking victims are not simply beautiful or seductive young women exploited for profit. Rather, many are mothers separated from their children, or ordinary women with professions, personal will, and emotions.

The documentary features Pia Rendic, founder and executive director of the anti-trafficking NGO Vapauta Uhri ry, which operates in both Finland and Cyprus. She is widely recognized as a human trafficking expert in Finnish media, delivers lectures on pornography and trafficking, and has authored five Finnish books, including Faces of Human Trafficking (2015).