Garden Thieves Pictures and Filmblanc have announced that Desert Riders, the latest film from award-winning director and cinematographer Vic Sarin, will be available nationwide on cable and internet VOD and DVD May 6th. Sarin and his lens go deep into the Middle East to find the heartbreaking story of human trafficking behind "the Sport of Kings." Since its international premiere at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), Desert Riders has been acclaimed by critics and audiences alike for its unflinching depiction of the lives forever changed in the name of "sport."
Camel racing is one of the most popular sports in the Middle East. Desert Riders is the story of some of the thousands of boys, as young as two years old, that have been trafficked or sold by their parents and taken to the Middle East to work as camel jockeys from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Mauritania and Sudan. Sexually and physically abused, these young children were forced to live in horrendous conditions. Starved to avoid gaining weight, they worked long hours even when clearly underage and are now left mentally and physically stunted.
When international pressure is brought to bear, many of the children are repatriated only to find themselves strangers in their home countries. With stunning visuals, Desert Riders illuminates the mysterious beauty of the Middle East, while featuring the children and their experiences in a bold, revealing, and compelling way.
The DVD release of Desert Riders (SRP $24.95) will be available exclusively on Amazon.
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