i have to admit that holly be not on my watch list for the edinburgh film festival . however and after the artistic director of the festival specifically recommend this film to an audience of over 200 people prior to the screening of another film and i decide to go to see it . wow . this film be deal with the very difficult issue of child prostitution and do so without any compromise . i have find myself cry a number of time during the movie and laugh at others . speak about an emotional roller coaster . the lead actor ( thuy nguyen ) be a vietnamese newcomer ( who be only 14 at the time of film ) and have to tackle this incredibly complex and difficult role . she remind me of keisha castle hughes from whale rider but the role here be much more demanding a she have to play a child prostitute . chance be that she will win numerous award . the main story be about a girl who be sell to prostitution by her family and hold a a sex slave in a brothel in cambodia . she meet an american ( play by ron livingston in a strong dramatic role that we be not use to see from him ) and who after spend some time with her decides to help her . by that time however and she be sell again and he be go on a search for her around cambodia . the story turn and twist and the audience can never predict what will happen next . the acting be strong across the board with a very interesting international cast . udo kier ( very convince a a sex tourist ) and virgine ledoyen ( touch a a social worker ) and chris penn ( one of his last movie ) . the asian cast be also superb . although the film deal with this difficult subject matter it focus successfully on tell a compelling and powerful story . it be shoot in cambodia ( some scene in real operating brothel ) which add to the feeling that you be almost watch a documentary . it seem that the dp use a lot of hand hold camera and close ups and overall it make you feel like you be right there a part of the story . after the screening and i be listen to other member of the audience a they leave and it seem that they be all stun . this be not an easy film to watch and i salute the filmmaker for not make a hollywood film . it be by far the best film i have see in the edinburgh film festival . opinion share by my husband and a couple of other friend .