Ok I was so not expecting this!
Mia Bella is a sex-trade worker -- and proud of it.
Bella, 25, is one of 1,000 licensed escorts in Victoria and appears in The Brothel Project, April Butler-Parry's documentary about the indoor sex trade.
The film, which makes its world première at the Victoria Film Festival tonight (Odeon, at 7), chronicles attempts by social activist Jody Paterson and retired sex worker Lauren Casey to open a legal co-op brothel here. They partnered with Bella and Harvi, a sex-industry booking agent, to open a licensed escort agency.
Their aim was to recognize its legitimacy as a business, and provide a safe haven and benefits.
"The film puts a human face on prostitution," says Bella, who got into it five years ago to raise enough cash for a two-month fishing trip in Fiji.
"I think it's a valuable service I provide," says Bella, who has a quick comeback for those who label her a whore.
"I'll usually cut them off because it's true, and I'm not ashamed," says Bella, laughing. "Being 100 per cent accepting of myself, I can say, 'Thanks, Captain Obvious!' It's not an insult."
Bella says sex is a basic human need that clients who can't get it elsewhere are happy to pay for. "It's not about people cheating on their wives," she says. "Some people have great relationships and they can't have sex. They can be miserable, or have an affair, which in my mind is worse because that's an emotional betrayal, not just a business transaction where needs are getting met."
Bella says she did the film because it dispels misconceptions. "It shows these are real people, not bad people, and this is what they choose."
Advance tickets to tonight's screening are sold out, but a limited number of rush seats are available.
mreid@tc.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist
Mia Bella is a sex-trade worker -- and proud of it.
Bella, 25, is one of 1,000 licensed escorts in Victoria and appears in The Brothel Project, April Butler-Parry's documentary about the indoor sex trade.
The film, which makes its world première at the Victoria Film Festival tonight (Odeon, at 7), chronicles attempts by social activist Jody Paterson and retired sex worker Lauren Casey to open a legal co-op brothel here. They partnered with Bella and Harvi, a sex-industry booking agent, to open a licensed escort agency.
Their aim was to recognize its legitimacy as a business, and provide a safe haven and benefits.
"The film puts a human face on prostitution," says Bella, who got into it five years ago to raise enough cash for a two-month fishing trip in Fiji.
"I think it's a valuable service I provide," says Bella, who has a quick comeback for those who label her a whore.
"I'll usually cut them off because it's true, and I'm not ashamed," says Bella, laughing. "Being 100 per cent accepting of myself, I can say, 'Thanks, Captain Obvious!' It's not an insult."
Bella says sex is a basic human need that clients who can't get it elsewhere are happy to pay for. "It's not about people cheating on their wives," she says. "Some people have great relationships and they can't have sex. They can be miserable, or have an affair, which in my mind is worse because that's an emotional betrayal, not just a business transaction where needs are getting met."
Bella says she did the film because it dispels misconceptions. "It shows these are real people, not bad people, and this is what they choose."
Advance tickets to tonight's screening are sold out, but a limited number of rush seats are available.
mreid@tc.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist
