Tuesday night I attended and photographed the “An Evening of New Dreams,” a star-studded event put on by the Somaly Mam Foundation and hosted by Jeff and Mei Sze Green at their 40,000 square foot mansion in the hills.
The event was interesting, and at times heartbreaking. Somaly Mam spoke on behalf of the organization that was named after her. She is Cambodian and through broken English and with tears, she told her own story of struggle from her time as a child in the brothels of Cambodia.
“With the vision and leadership of world renowned Cambodian activist, Somaly Mam, the foundation, strives to get to the root of human trafficking. The global vision will allow the activities currently in the United States and South East Asia to expand to other countries around the world.”
I felt strange walking around the massive mansion, seeing the wealthy and beautiful of Hollywood sloshing martinis. I stood staring out over the hills at the skyline below. The Greens mansion sits like a castle atop a kingdom below.
I was hired to capture the event but what most interested me in the end were some of the shots I took for myself at a distance. As soon as the first snooty young french paparazzi guy started picking a fight with me I backed up from the red carpet about 100 feet and began shooting pictures of the whole phenomenon. I found the glowing orb of light from the center where celebrities were getting photos snapped beautiful and strange and it caused sinister shadows to flutter and scurry around the outside of the crowd.
The light/darkness theme haunted me throughout the evening:
Here is a picture of Somaly. She seems to be an incredible woman:
This is magic Joe Rehaume, a Seattle based magician who I met at the event.
There was a regular and silent auction. Miro!:
And hosted by Ron Livingston who has been involved with the organization since before it was cool to:
Jan Levinson I presume:
For those of you that like Entourage, Rex Lee:
This guy? (I couldn’t resist). I showed my friend Johnny this picture and he said in all seriousness “I don’t know who that is.” I thought that was hilarious.
Some more pics:
Drink Mighty Leaf Tea:
The hosts:
It’s important for Hollywood to have charity events and funding from these types of soirees is essential for many non-profits, but I think it was just a little strange to see such wealth and grandier glittering around Somaly and the story she represents.
You can see similar wealth in Phnom Penh- Somaly’s mansion is a stark contrast to the “rehabilitation” centres where street sex workers are put in forced detention in cooperation with the police and the interior ministry.
Her organisation, AFESIP, is probably the most controversial, and one of the most derided organisations operating in Cambodia- and everyone here is looking on in amazement at how this woman has managed to con so many celebrities to her “cause”
Thanks for the thoughts Andrew. I don’t know a lot– or anything really– about the organization. I really believe people should thoroughly research any organization before they jump on board. Although I’ve found that no organization is flawless and few are without corruption. That’s the problem with them being run by humans. But that doesn’t mean good doesn’t come out of them.
in my defense, it was a little tiny one inch screen so even if it was brad fuckin pitt i still would have had no clue who it was!! thanks for picking me up and hopefully our paths will cross again soon.
they will for sure johnny. seattle!
stumbled upon this interesting blog while looking up info on the charity aution. thank you, Mr. Adam Sjoberb for sharing your thoughts and talent. checked out your wedding photos as well and all i can say is fabulous.
Also quick jab at sept 18th’s comment, Andrew or ASPNW needs to grow up and stop the ignorant jealous insanity! NGO’s should not be out there discrediting each other, it’s all about the cause. please show it.