Scarlet Road was well-received in its North American premiere at Austin's SXSW Film Festival. Scarlet Road tackles two taboo subjects at once in a way that really challenges accepted norms in a positive and compelling manner. The film follows the story of woman named Rachel who is an Australian sex worker in New South Wales where prostitution is a legal regulated industry. In showing her story Rachel challenges many of the stereotypes that all of sex workers as being abused and suffering. It becomes clear that she can live a fulfilling life as a sex worker, because prostitution is legal where she is. Her occupation and lifestyle are much like that of anybody else, because the law doesn't push her to the dangerous fringes of society. But we also learn that Rachel is a unique and compassionate person, who specializes in providing sexual services for those with disabilities – who often have a difficult time finding sexual partners. We also meet two of her clients – an older man with multiple sclerosis and a young man with cerebral palsy. The film seeks to humanize both the sex workers and the disabled, both groups which are often marginalized from the mainstream of society. Scarlet Road is a powerful, compassionate film that brings light to subjects that are often ignored. A film like this probably couldn't be made in most parts of the U.S., because the activities being filmed would be considered illegal. The film provides an excellent look at two worlds that are often shrouded in mystery.
