www.StoppingTrafficFilm.com | Trailer
Tirthankar Mahavir's teachings came at a time when the world was full of extreme violence: human and animal sacrifices, torture, war, and negativities were the norm, including sexual slavery. For the first time in history, Tirthankar Mahavir began to teach and spread the message of non-violence, which helped India become known as a non-violent country.
Human Trafficking
One aspect of Tirthankar Mahavir's life and teachings that have seem to be forgotten is that he saved over 30,000 sex-slaves. Thousands of ladies were bought and sold for sex and were slaves to the kings and kingsmen. Tirthankar Mahavir, as a revolutionary and enlightened one, with the help of Chandana, saved thousands of sex-slaves and initiated them to be on the spiritual path as sadhvis (nuns). According to today's population, it would be like saving 30 million people. Tirthankar Mahavir was the first anti-trafficking activist.
Unfortunately, his followers today do not know this. His followers today, popularly known as the Jains, mainly practice religion, tradition and rituals - merely following, but not doing much humanitarian work as Tirthankar Mahavir exemplified. In a deep meditation, H.H. Acharya Shree Yogeesh discovered the different humanitarian works that Tirthankar Mahavir started and inspired, but sadly got lost and forgotten. One of the issues was human trafficking, also known as modern-day slavery.
The Documentary
Sadhvi Siddhali Shree, the first North American Jain Sadhvi to take Diskha in 2008, with the blessing of Acharya Shree and the support of his other disciples, directed the award-winning documentary STOPPING TRAFFIC: The Movement to End Sex-Trafficking. The documentary which is executive produced by Acharya Shree and produced by Siddhayatan Tirth has garnered international and national attention and accolades including "Best Picture" and "Best Educational Film.”
With 27 million victims worldwide, STOPPING TRAFFIC starts the conversation on a taboo topic through the eyes of survivors, activists, and front-line rescue teams to launch a movement to end modern-day slavery in the U.S. and abroad.
STOPPING TRAFFIC is the first gateway for humanitarian work by Jains since Tirthankar Mahavir on this subject. For the first time in movie theaters, the American public will be introduced to the name of Tirthankar Mahavir, the teachings of non-violence, hear the Namokar mantra, and be exposed to Jain monks and nuns on a national scale.
Movie Theaters & Press
STOPPING TRAFFIC will play in 11 major cities at AMC Theaters across the US. The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Dallas Morning News, and other major media outlets will soon provide film critic views. Sadhvi Siddhali Shree will also appear on National Television in the upcoming week to promote the film and the message that through the teachings of Tirthankar Mahavir and non-violence together we can end human trafficking.
As followers of Tirthankar Mahavir, we must collectively understand Tirthankar Mahavir's message: understand the teachings and take action to bring about change. Merely following traditions doesn't change the world. Action with right understanding does. Real work is required to raise humanity.
On September 26th, the documentary will premiere with a celebrity red carpet event in Hollywood and will open in theaters on September 29th for one week.
#everysoulcounts
Theater locations:
- Atlanta: AMC Parkway Pointe 15, 3101 Cobb Parkway, #201, Atlanta
- Chicago: AMC River East 21, 322 E. Illinois St., Chicago
- Dallas: AMC Valley View 16, 13331 Preston Road, #2300, Dallas
- Houston: AMC Studio 30, 2949 Dunvale, Houston
- Los Angeles: Laemmle Monica Film Center, 1332 2nd St., Santa Monica
- Miami: AMC Sunset Place 24, 5701 Sunset Dr., #300, South Miami
- New Orleans: AMC Elmwood Palace 20, 1200 Elmwood Park Blvd., Harahan
- New York City: Cinema Village, 22 E. 12th St., New York City
- San Diego: AMC Mission Valley 20, 1640 Camino Del Rio, North, San Diego
- Sacramento: AMC Manteca, 848 Lifestyle St, Manteca
- Washington D.C: AMC Hoffman Center 22, 206 Swamp Fox Road, Alexandria, Va.
Pre-order on iTunes: http://apple.co/2wYe1qz Website: http://stoppingtrafficfilm.com Watch the film trailer: https://vimeo.com/233000277/f528752878 Producing Jain Organization: Siddhayatan Tirth est. by H.H. Acharya Shree Yogeesh (Dallas, Texas)
Please forward to your community or submit for publication.
Press/Media: HH Acharya Shree Yogeesh, Sadhvi Siddhali Shree, Sadhvi Anubhuti and Saman Abhiroop are available for interview.Email or call (903) 487-0217 for press release, production notes, and article information if you represent the press.
Jai Siddhatma!
Siddhayatan Tirth
| 903.487.0217