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596 |
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Plot:
This film is a portrait of a group of unforgettable children in Calcutta's red light district. Feisty, resilient and wickedly funny, they are the children of prostitutes. Trying to evade a doomed futu...( read more 
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Meet Other Fans
Recent Reviews
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MCT:June 10, 2008Proves the transformative power of making art. Many of this group of kids didn't realize that they had opinions about things, let alone have the right to express it. Revolution by beauty instead of violence.
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MCT:May 23, 2008Absolutely bloody brilliant! Everybody should watch this. Whenver I think of how bad my life is I remember these kids and the harsh reality they live in. After watching this I dare you to whine because your Starbucks isn't hot enough!!
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MCT:May 18, 2008
Absolute mandatory viewing.
At times both heartbreaking and uplifting, this documentary explores the red light district of Calcutta and the women and children who live there.
Zana Briski is a photographer who gives the children hope by teaching them her skill.
The blatant and abuse that the children are subjected to, and the absolutely palpable hopelessness they feel is unimaginable to me, even though I saw it with my own eyes.
Something no one should be allowed to forget. -
MCT:May 5, 2008
Heartbreaking documentary about a photographer who stays in the brothels in Calcutta to be able to film there, and finds herself instead connecting to the children living there. She gives them each a camera and begins to teach them how to view the world through the lens of a camera and perhaps with a little hope as well in such a sad and desperate and seemingly hopeless situation for these young children.
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MCT:May 1, 2008
Academy Award winner of 2004 for Best Documentary ("Super Size Me" lost against this), "Born Into Brothels" explores the stark regions of Calcutta, where children are born with no positive influence, weak morale and an ill-fated career, if any. All is changed, though, when Zana Briski, a photographer from New York, arrives and inspires a group of children by means of teaching them how to photograph.
"Born Into Brothels" is indeed an uplifting documentary since it forever changes the aspect of the impressionable children, but the documentary itself, I felt, was rather poor. It got its message across, but it severely lacked due to one essential ingredient. Not sure what it is, but after seeing this, I only wanted to enhance my photographic skills. Incredible altruism from Briski's part, yes. Documentary's execution, not so good. -
MCT:April 13, 2008
No doubt a wonderful concept and idea, yet while great, it tends to disconnect the viewer quite often. The aspect of showing the pictures individually was a nice touch and the ending remarks are heart wrenching but overall this movie feels detached and wandering.
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MCT:April 2, 2008
Incredible movie. Heartfelt and moving to see the children's perspective. The photography was great, the composition of professionals in some shots. This is something everyone should watch to be able to be more appreciative for all that we take for granted in our lives.
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MCT:March 1, 2008
an important film for everyone to see...its not a feel good documentry...but its very well executed!!
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MCT:February 25, 2008
This was a powerful Documentary to me. The story is heartbreaking, It is subtitled however and I know some people hate having to read a movie lol.
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MCT:January 1, 2008
I normally prefer fiction to documentaries because the latter tends to be depressing. However, this one was eye-opening, informational and uplifting. Yes, it's true that not all the children enrolled into school stay in school or that all of them have hidden photographic talent, but it gives me hope that they are not left with nothing. I am crossing my fingers that this movie inspired the international powers that be to provide more of these opportunities to children out there with so much to give and to absorb in their molding years.
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MCT:November 6, 2007
inspiring? uplifting?? not quite - it's more depressing than anything else. interesting concept however.
Water addresses similar issues and was a more enjoyable watch. -
MCT:October 3, 2007
This is a film that I have a very strong attachment to and it has influenced my entire life. While in highschool, my media group had amazing connections and I met the makers of this documentary. That day I held an Academy Award.
But aside from that, this film gave me critical insight into the real roles of artists in society. Is it enough to just create or isn't it better to change? I think this piece has given inspiration to us all that art can be used to make our world a more humane and intelligent place. This film puts the hardships of Calcutta in the audience's immediate view but it does not accept it as a sad way things are. it challenges it and attemptsd to bring about change to these children who without intervention were destined to live a circle of poverty and prostitution. -
MCT:September 26, 2007
To have the results she did, this must have been absolutely heartbreaking for her.. She worked really hard, and did more than anyone else ever could.. it's amazing what she did with these kids.. and sad that it couldn't have turned out better than it did.. This is a very well done and human movie.. It is the truth, a sad truth, but the honest truth.. I recommend this to anyone..
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MCT:September 22, 2007
Wow. Here is a moving portrait of the cycle of poverty--how kids whose parents work in brothels (whether as prostitutes, pimps, or alcohol sellers) can never escape because in order to be admitted to school your parents can't be criminals. One woman bringing a small amount of hope to a few kids....it must be seen!
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MCT:September 13, 2007
Superb. Like peeling old paint off a wall. Just layer after layer of humanity. Brilliantly assembled and unforgiving in it's presentation. I have never seen a movie with so much foul language in the subtitles. (pretty funny really) A must see.
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MCT:July 26, 2007
Touching, and somewhat shocking.
Although her motives were good, Briski seemed focused too much on exploiting the children for realistic art then getting them off the streets. -
MCT:July 22, 2007
it's fresh. it's tragic. and the method is novel. but you gain a real insight to the destitute world they live in via inspiring visual imagery. absolutely fantastic! if you think you're a hotshot photographer - eat your heart out
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MCT:July 20, 2007Tho' the premise is depressing and a despicable truth abt. the reality of men and their selfish dicks -- I would watch this to see that the girls "made it out". That would be an uplifting change. Sadly, there are millions of young girls that aren't so lucky!! Too bad a man's dick didn't fall off every time he messed with an underage girl -- that might change society, huh?
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MCT:July 16, 2007
enjoyable and inspiring, one of those great documentaries that invite you into a different world and live through the eyes of those experiencing it everyday
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MCT:July 13, 2007
What a great documentary! Simultaneously devastating and hopeful. Watching those kids, who have grown up around poverty and suffering, find joy in creativity is very moving.
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MCT:June 23, 2007
If this was a story concocted by some Hollywood screenwriter, we would most likely have seen some phony rags to riches story. Fortunately, in this documentary, we get something a lot more thought-provoking: disadvantaged kids (from Calcutta's Red Light District) finding a means to support themselves through the transforming power of opportunity and capitalism. Some make it out and some don't (through their own conscious choice) but all of the kids are changed irrevocably through the friendship and tutoring of Zana Briski. It most certainly is not heaven on earth, but it's a hell of a lot better than getting beaten up every day or forced "in the line" selling your body for rupees. I would highly recommend the special features on the DVD, specifically the token "Where are they now?" segment and especially the segment where the kids see the movie for the first time. The look on their faces alone is worth the price of the DVD.
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MCT:June 20, 2007
Must see Film. The children will touch your heart and your soul. The pictures they take are beautiful. SEE THIS ONE.
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MCT:June 11, 2007
I was mad when this beat out "Super Size Me", but once I saw it, I understood why. This documentary has more warmth and more life than most mainstream films. It is a fascinating story of hope, full of personality and excitement. It shows how one person making one tiny effort can make a huge impact. A beautiful film.
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MCT:June 9, 2007
I wanted to see this documentary for a long time and finally rented it yesterday. No words can express how fantastic it is, although one has to have stomach to face the disturbing poverty and almost barbaric lives these kids have to live...and for the photography part...oh God, it was just sublime!
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MCT:June 6, 2007
There aren't enough stars 4 this movie. I have to add to my collection SOONEr than later. Always be happy that u have freedom, no matter how miniscule it may seem.
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