Catch the Fair One

By: MJ Asuncion

Everyone talks about human trafficking as a real problem that must be eradicated, but not many people actually know the extent of its effect on certain populations. There is very little to no attention brought to Native Americans, even though indigenous women and girls are the least recognized and least protected amongst all victims. Ingenious populations are generally often overlooked, and crimes against them are less likely to be reported or investigated than other cases. The statistics are so alarmingly disproportionate that it is difficult to ignore.

Catch the Fair One brings much needed attention to this highly marginalized group, as the story centers on Kaylee’s (Kali Reis) desperate search for her missing sister Weeta (Mainaku Borrero) who fell victim to trafficking. Kaylee and Weeta are of Native American origin, a population that is specifically targeted in their area. Kaylee, who is a former boxer, has been planning to infiltrate the human trafficking operation in the hopes of finding her younger sister. The film follows Kaylee through intense, unimaginable situations as she is seeking answers while also fighting for her life.

The film stars real life boxing champion Kali Reis as the relentless and fearsome protagonist Kaylee. Reis collaborated with writer-director Josef Kubota Wladyka to help develop the action revenge thriller. In her breakout role, Reis delivers an impassioned, gritty and powerful performance, which is sure to move viewers, bringing them to the edge of their seats with anticipation of her next move. She embodies the role of Kaylee so well, not only because of her physicality but because of the inner strength and passion she possesses. She is able to go from fierce competitor to vulnerable young woman within minutes of a scene. Reis commands full attention from the first moment she appears in frame, before a single line of dialogue is spoken, conveying so much emotion just through her body language, that is hard to believe she is a first-time actress. Just as Kaylee shows the traffickers that she is a formidable opponent in her fight for the truth, Reis proves herself to be the one to watch with her knockout performance in Catch the Fair One.

Josef Kubota Wladyka’s debut feature Manos Sucias won Best New Narrative Director at Tribeca and was nominated for two Independent Spirit Awards. The grad film alum also directed episodes of Netflix’s “Narcos,” AMC’s “Fear the Walking Dead,” TNT’s “Animal Kingdom” and Cinemax’s “Outcast.” Wladyka effectively captures the gruesome reality of human trafficking with Catch the Fair One, evoking feelings of disgust, fear and anger. Through his expert use of natural landscapes and intimate settings from cinematographer Ross Giardina, combined with the heart pounding score of Nathan Halpern and his own creative vision, Wladyka brings the audience right alongside every move that Kaylee makes.

Viewers are sure to detest the group of traffickers, who are merciless and inhumane, viewing their victims as property. When Kaylee asks about her sister, one of the most disturbing comments in the film that is reflective of the real crisis indigenous people face is delivered by one of them, “No one will find her because no one cares.” Though the film is filled with back to back suspenseful situations and tense fight scenes, the desperation, anguish and hopelessness Kaylee demonstrates in her search is sure to wreak havoc on viewers’ emotions. Catch the Fair One is worth the watch for the heartfelt story, the action, its strong lead and to help spread awareness of a serious issue in our society.