DEADLINE: SPECIALTY BOX OFFICE PREVIEW

Skin in the Game
Director: Adisa
Writer: Steven Palmer Peterson
Cast: Erica Ash, Elisabeth Harnois, Angélica Celaya, Sammi Hanratty
Distributor: Kandoo Films

Veteran producer Howard Barish produced some of the early indie titles directed by Ava DuVernay including Middle of Nowhere (2012) and I Will Follow (2010). Their collaboration led him to start a new outlet to champion underserved indie voices. “I began an initiative at Kandoo Films,” explained Barish. “It was born out of my experience [working] with Ava DuVernay. We put together projects that help indie filmmakers, and [Skin in the Game] is the third out of this initiative.”

Skin in the Game centers on 15-year-old Dani, who is abducted off the sidewalk in suburban America and finds herself trapped in the horrific underground world of human trafficking. With no initial assistance from the police, Dani’s mother and an ex-prostitute take to the streets in an effort to find her before it’s too late.

“[Filmmaker] Adisa came to me about this story on human trafficking taking place in America, in which many teen women — and some boys — are snatched off the streets. I thought it was something that happens in other countries, but it’s also happening here,” said Barish, who added that the numbers are shockingly high. “We’ve been involved with a number of projects that have touched on social issues and figured, ‘How could we not be involved with something so big?’”

Kandoo Films produced and financed Skin in the Game, which shot in L.A. over 17 days in November 2017.

Prior to production, Barish worked with the filmmaking team to bring the script to a manageable size in terms of budget. “I was involved every step of the way,” he said. “We were very fortunate to get Erica Ash [as a lead]. We cast against type. It gives [talent] the opportunity to flex muscles creatively that they’re not accustomed to. She’s known for her comedy, but this is a great dramatic role.”

Kandoo Films worked with AMC Theatres for a theatrical rollout in a dozen top markets as part of its day-and-date release, including various on-demand platforms.

Added Barish about the release: “There’s a twofold side to this [release]. People need to see and understand what’s happening with human trafficking. Also, the act of supporting indie films is important to us and indie filmmakers [generally]. People say they love indie films, but it’s getting harder and harder. Otherwise, we’d only be left with studio tentpoles, which are great too, but there should be more [out there].”