Born Into Brothels

One of the best documentaries I have ever seen is Born Into Brothels. Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman set about making this documentary by taking cameras into the poor slums of Calcutta to teach the children of prostitutes photography. Their ultimate goal seems to be bringing to light the way these kids live as well as helping them get into schools.

The kids are the real stars of the film. They are all adorable and it is great to see their personalities come out in this pretty terrible environment. Prostitutes scream at them, the fathers (if they are still around) are on drugs or selling them, they are all forced to work before the age of ten, and many of the girls are already being encouraged to join "the lineup." It is amazing that these kids can keep such positive attitudes about life and their future.

Throughout the film "Auntie Zana" takes the kids around so they can take pictures at the zoo, the beach, etc, all the while trying to get them all into good schools. The movie showcases these pictures and some of them are truly great. The best photographer, Avijit, is even invited to Amsterdam to participate in a gathering of young photographers from around the world. Briski has to struggle to get him there through Indian bureaucracy and his own apathy after the murder of his mother.

The film ends with a little bit of where these kids end up. Some go to school, but others are pulled out by their parents so they can work. Others give up and continue their lives. We never learn if any of the girls join the line, but it seems almost inevitable. Born into Brothels was completed in 2004, and I was able to find an update on some of the kids.

This is an amazing film. I cried like a little girl at the end, but I'm not ashamed to admit it. I love it!