Born Into Brothels: Calcutta's Red Light Kids (2004)

That was an excellent one.

So much average

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

If you thought Slumdog Millionaire was bad and degrading to the name of a great nation this film certainly adds to the mix. Directors go in search of some of the worst and most degrading parts of India. Their mission in making these films is simple, lets go out and find the worst possible aspect of India and further put down a country in order to claim some praise and Oscars. Forget the fact that India has a rich history and full of great and inspirational stories. It has had many emperors, empires, poets and even contains one of the 7 wonders of the world. Even today despite its population issues it has wide urban development in cities and growing middle classes. But lets forget all of this and drive past all of it so we can find some slum in a remote part or search for something even worse. To hell with making an accurate portrayal of a country lets smear it and bring it down with horrific tales. I wish I could give this a 0 out of 10. Shameful and shocking.

I would have not seen this documentation, if it would not have been in IMDb Oscar Badge list. It would be a shame, because this documentation is worth to see. I'm not that good in English, please forgive me, but i try to write some words to appreciate their work. It is unbelievable how Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman are taking the challenge to work in such a place. Not only that, they are trying to make the world a little bit better for the children. Hopefully this documentation can make the world better for a lot more. It was a good decision from the Academy to give the Oscar to this Project. The more people see it, the more will think about the world around them.

The life of the kids born in brothel are in itself is dark and painful. A beautiful portrayal of this reality by photographer Zana Briski. The kids living in the brothels do have a dream and wishes to live a good life but the society doesn't care or accept their wishes or dreams instead they are considered inferior and dark part of society. A Photographer living in a brothel with this kids to cover the true life, feeling, dreams of this kids is quite brave and courageous and trying to teach them something is a very kind gesture. The photographer tries to help these kids by giving them a better education but the most of the schools do not accept these kids because of where they come from; Many of the times the kids parents or guardians do not want the kids to educate and expect them to continue in same line of work as they are in. A effort made by the makers of this film changed the life of two kids at least who continued their education and tried to live a normal life.

Never has there been a more gross misuse of wording than in the title of this film. This is little more than a showcase of Briski's "forward thinking" self righteous presence and overrated photography. This woman taught a group of children, living in squalor and facing starvation how to use a camera. Yes, a C A M E R A! As if the ability to shoot nice little pictures was going to help them rise above their situation and do better for themselves. Tell me Zana, if one of said children decided to take up such a lovely hobby...how would they get their pictures developed? How would they afford the film? The brothel/prostitution aspect is brought up very little. The very word "Brothel" was probably mentioned all of three times. The film doesn't delve into how the mothers ended up there, assault/battery, child prostitution or anything of substance.This is about the nice white lady who rolled out of bed one day and decided to showcase her benevolent spirit. But what she gave them was nothing. A useless hobby that was forgotten by the time she boarded her plane back to New York. While she's sipping cocktails somewhere in Midtown Manhattan congratulating herself on her selfless deeds and how she's helped those poor little brown children, a 10yr old girl is probably having her virginity auctioned off to the highest bidder...a 50 yr old man.