Would you be able to meet with the higher-ups in big criminal rings? This is exactly what Mariana Van Zeller does with her documentary series “Trafficked” on National Geographic. She is a Portuguese journalist who, with her series, has received various prestigious awards. She explores what is below the surface: the underworld, where illegal activities such as fishing and organ trafficking occur.
In our opinion, the documentary “Trafficked” with Mariana Van Zeller exposes aspects of life of which we are not fully aware. It reveals the inner workings of the underworld and how dangerous the people in these rings can be. Since watching this series, I have been impacted by the ease and intelligence of these operations. I find it mesmerizing how vast the world is beneath what we see. In my opinion, the journalist can captivate viewers by showing both the inner workings and the effects on people in the normal world.
In the world as we know it, many things are happening that are not easily accessible and are highly secretive. The exposure of these topics impacts many people. “These informal, black, and gray markets make up almost half of the global economy, and yet we know so little about them. And they have an impact on our daily lives. So, for me, it’s incredibly important to be able to witness and show what is happening in these underworlds,” Van Zeller said (ABC News). This quote shows how, for her, it is also important to showcase how these topics are more connected to us than we think. It is a huge benefit that, at the current time, we have access to this information. But is there a downside to knowing about the dark world in which we live?
Many people who have watched the documentary series have been impacted by what the series shows and by how deeply Mariana can delve into the underworld, revealing how much happens in plain sight. “It sheds light on the underworld, showing it ‘crudo,’ as if it were just a wildlife documentary. She delves into the depths of the illicit system, showcasing many aspects that normal documentary series do not, such as the episode where she directly follows fentanyl from the ocean,” Grade 11, Emilia Quintero said.
One significant aspect of the series that stands out from other documentaries is its approach to interviewing. Rather than just interviewing experts, Mariana interviews experts, victims, and perpetrators themselves.
In our daily lives, we often don’t realize how closely these topics affect us, and how their line of business impacts each life. When I watched the series, it left a lasting impact on me, making me realize how these topics are intertwined with our daily lives. “They’re happening all around us. They’re much more prevalent than we think. They have a deep and important impact, a negative impact on our lives. So trying to understand who the operators are, and what motivates them. Again, the understanding before the judging is really, truly the only way that we’ll be able to tackle and combat these issues,” Van Zeller said. Her words about the need to understand before we fight are a significant part of generating empathy in each individual.
Even though it’s important to understand, it also raises the question: How many underworld markets exist? As a society, will we be able to dismantle them and live in a world of legality? “In my personal opinion, I don’t believe that we are going to be able to eradicate the underworld markets. I find it impossible to take them all down, but with thorough research, we may be able to find a way to exert more control,” Emilia said. It’s a harsh reality that many people think we won’t be able to dismantle these organizations, and the series “Trafficked” just makes us more aware but won’t solve the issues.
Watching the documentary can make you feel uncomfortable about how the global economy is connected to such horrible things as organ trafficking, how many twisted people exist, and how close they can be to you. “It shines a light on things like the actual dangers of cheap plastic surgery clinics, how unprofessional and uneducated they are. She uses compare and contrast in many parts to show how things should be. It shows how stealing cars is so easy and how they can be functioning perfectly in another country in a few days. It makes us more fearful of the world we live in,” Quintero said.
Knowing that the series may not help solve the issue, it serves the purpose of engaging us and removing the blindfold, leading to a sad, scary realization.
As a student, I invite others to watch the series. It helps us understand a lot about the world we live in and the underworld that’s part of our global unity. It helps us see the actual effects of these operations in our daily lives and reminds us to be more cautious in certain aspects, as simple as social media. Mariana’s work is admirable and deserves respect. She researches the darkest aspects of the world we live in. I would be too scared to meet with the higher-ups in a big criminal ring.
ABC News, ABC News Network, abcnews.go.com/International/trafficked-host-mariana-van-zeller-gains-sources-trust/story?id=96337335. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
