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

Two documentary filmmakers chronicle their time in Sonagchi, Calcutta and the relationships they developed with children of prostitutes who work the city's notorious red light district.

Directors:

Zana Briski, Ross Kauffman

Writers:

Zana Briski, Ross Kauffman

Stars:

Kochi, Avijit Halder, Shanti Das

Won 1 Oscar. Another 18 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Kochi
Avijit Halder	...	(as Avijit)
Shanti Das	...	(as Shanti)
Manik
Puja Mukerjee	...	(as Puja)
Gour
Suchitra
Tapasi
Mamuni

Storyline

Admist the apparent growing prosperity of India, there is a dark underbelly of poverty of another side of the nation that is little known. This film is a chronicle of filmmakers Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman's efforts to show that world of Calcutta's red light district. To do that, they inspired a special group of children of the prostitutes of the area to photograph the most reluctant subjects of it. As the kids excel in their new found art, the filmmakers struggle to help them have a chance for a better life away from the miserable poverty that threatens to crush their dreams.

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Plot Keywords:

red light district | prostitute | poverty | children | india | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sequences of strong language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [jp]

Country:

USA

Language:

Bengali English

Release Date:

29 July 2005 (Taiwan)

Also Known As:

The Kids of Sonagachi

Filming Locations:

Calcutta, West Bengal, India

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$10,580 (USA) (10 December 2004)

Gross:

$3,410,863 (USA) (20 May 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Red Light Films, HBO/Cinemax Documentary, Sundance Institute Documentary Fund

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Avjit: There is nothing called hope in my future.

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Connections

Featured in The 77th Annual Academy Awards (2005)

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Soundtracks

"Aankhen khuli"
Performed by Lata Mangeshkar and Udit Narayan

User Reviews

An excellent idea.

There needs to be more uplifting movies like this one. Truly inspirational and enlightening. People have questioned the motives of the director or author - but all I can say is I don't even care if she did it all for the money. If she did, then capitalism is working here. Those who are complaining probably aren't doing anything to help those kids.

With the proliferation of internet porn and sex tourism, it is good thing for people to see a documentary such as this. It is just good material to put into people's heads compared to the nasty stuff that is out there. To me it shows that even in the depths of human degradation and despair there could be hope in a corrupt world. That one person, if they could change a few lives for the better, for whatever motivation, it is a good thing and should be an inspiration for us all.

Even in these worst human conditions these beautiful kids just shine out full of hope and potential. If you want to see a true-life story documentary where lives are changed for the better, than watch this one.