THE TRADE | Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Ross McDonnell
Matthew Heineman explores human smuggling, sex trafficking, and the plight of migrants.
Festival Section:
Special Events
Sundance Program Description:
Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Matthew Heineman (CARTEL LAND, 2015 Sundance Film Festival) is known for investigating subjects others would rather stay away from. Whether he tackles drug cartels or the opioid crisis, he remains a thoughtful, unbiased observer whose unparalleled access is both fascinating and unnerving. Here, Heineman’s focus is on human trafficking and migrant communities seeking a safer existence. We follow migrants from Central America on their journey to the United States (and back home after deportation), the people who get paid outrageous amounts of money to attempt to smuggle them across the border, and those who try to obstruct these illicit and often deadly activities. THE TRADE is a timely, character-driven, emotional study on human vulnerability, exploitation, and fear, exposing some very bleak aspects of the American Dream and the fate of people who have no choice but to chase it.
Some Background:
Director/Executive Producer:
Past Sundance docs:
THE TRADE (SEASON ONE) (2017)
CITY OF GHOSTS (2017)
CARTEL LAND
ESCAPE FIRE (2012)
In addition to his Oscar and Emmy nods, Heineman has won awards at Sundance for both CITY OF GHOSTS and CARTEL LAND. He most recently debuted the first season of this Showtime series in Park City.
Showrunner/Executive Producer:
Past Sundance docs:
THE TRADE (SEASON ONE)
Harleman has a background in directing and producing series for Animal Planet, CNN, Pivot, and ABC, working for ABC News and Brick City TV, among companies. She also previously cut the Sundance narrative short ICE FISHING.
Producers:
Past Sundance docs:
THE TRADE (SEASON ONE)
Kunkle previously produced series for Animal Planet, CNN, A&E, and Showtime, as well as the Sundance narrative feature THE COMEDY.
Villamizar is an investigative journalist who has worked for VICE News, CBS, ABC, PBS Newshour, Univision, and Al Jazeera.
Wheeler is a journalist and Emmy-nominated producer for Netflix’s ReMastered docuseries.
Producer/Editor:
Past Sundance docs:
THE TRADE (SEASON ONE)
CITY OF GHOSTS
WATER & POWER: A CALIFORNIA HEIST
UNLOCKING THE CAGE (2016)
CARTEL LAND
THE NOTORIOUS MR BOUT (2014)
PUSSY RIOT – A PUNK PRAYER (2013)
WHAT REMAINS (2006)
DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND (2002)
The Emmy-nominated Wassermann is a regular Heineman collaborator.
Co-Producers:
McDonnell previously was one of the directors of photography for THE TRADE (SEASON ONE). He serves as cinematographer for this season.
Past Sundance docs:
THE TRADE (SEASON ONE)
Suverza is a Mexican journalist who has covered the drug cartels.
Executive Producer:
Past Sundance docs:
WU-TANG CLAN: OF MICS AND MEN (2019)
THE TRADE (SEASON ONE)
LEGION OF BROTHERS (2017)
FRESH DRESSED (2015)
THE HUNTING GROUND (2015)
LIFE ITSELF (2014)
IVORY TOWER (2014)
WHITEY: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA VS JAMES J BULGER (2014)
DINOSAUR 13 (2014)
Emmy winner Malhotra is EVP, nonfiction programming for Showtime. He is also an executive producer for fellow 2020 Sundance Special Events docuseries LOVE FRAUD.
Past Sundance docs:
CITY OF GHOSTS
Okun is head of production at Heineman’s Our Time Projects production company.
Editor:
This is the first Sundance project for the Emmy-winning Coda.
Associate Editors:
Past Sundance docs:
GIVE ME FUTURE (2017)
CARTEL LAND
Past Sundance docs:
THE TRADE (SEASON ONE)
This is Hougui’s first Sundance credit.
Why You Should Watch:
Heineman shifts focus from the first season of his Showtime series, which examined the deadly consequences of the opioid trade, but maintains the same approach by providing viewers with various perspectives on the same theme. Successfully juggling multiple characters and opposing views, the series challenges assumptions and offers new insight on a polarizing issue.
More Info:
For Sundance screening dates and times, click the film title in the first paragraph.
