The Abolitionists is a 2016 American documentary film directed by Darrin Fletcher and Chet Thomas about a sting mission orchestrated in Colombia by the organization Operation Underground Railroad jump team, led by former U.S. Homeland Security Special Agent Tim Ballard, countering child sex trafficking.[1][2]

The Abolitionists
Directed by
  • Darrin Fletcher
  • Chet Thomas
Produced by
  • McKay Daines
  • Darrin Fletcher
  • Chet Thomas
Starring
CinematographyTristan Whitman
Edited byMike Chenoweth
Music byTim Jones
Production
company
FletChet Entertainment
Distributed byFathom
Release date
  • May 16, 2016 (2016-05-16)
Running time
87 min
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Development

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The film was developed first and foremost as a reality television series, but as the first episode was being edited it began to take on its own life as a feature film, with seven episodes of the television series about subsequent jumps produced shortly after.

Reception

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Critical response

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The site NYC Movie Guru's critic wrote: "Spellbinding, gripping and eye-opening. Bravo to directors Darrin Fletcher and Chet Thomas for bringing Tim Ballard and the human rights issue of child sex trafficking to light".[3] The Abolitionists had a one-night premiere on May 16, 2016, at over 450 theaters.[4]

Episodes

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No.TitleDirected byOriginal release date
1"Operation Yvrose"Darrin Fletcher & Chet ThomasTBA
2"Operation Boca Chica"Darrin Fletcher & Chet ThomasTBA
3"Operation Open Doors"Darrin Fletcher & Chet ThomasTBA
4"Operation New World"Darrin Fletcher & Chet ThomasTBA
5"Operation Triple Take - Part I"Darrin Fletcher & Chet ThomasTBA
6"Operation Triple Take - Part II"Darrin Fletcher & Chet ThomasTBA
7"Operation Searching For Gardy"Darrin Fletcher & Chet ThomasTBA

References

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  1. ^ Kreps, Daniel (19 October 2014). "'Walking Dead' Actress Helps Rescue Colombian Sex Slaves". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  2. ^ Smith, Candace; Pinedo-Burns, Aristides (22 October 2014). "Rescuing Children From Colombia's Sex Trafficking Trade". ABC News. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  3. ^ "Documentary Roundup". Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  4. ^ Robbins, Caryn. "Human Trafficking Documentary THE ABOLITIONISTS Heading to U.S. Theaters This May". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
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