Born Into Brothels

Born Into Brothels

Date: Tue 22 April 2008

Directed by Zana Briski and Ross Kaufman
Running time 82 mins

This event is part of our Behind the Screen series

Winner of the 2003 Academy Award for documentaries, Born Into Brothels follows the lives of a group of children in Sonagachi in the red light district in Calcutta.

Photojournalist and director Zana Briski gave the children cameras and taught them how to shoot and edit the world they knew: the crowded, filthy boarding house where their mothers live and toil. For this group of bright, energetic, curious kids, the only path out of the brothels leads to a decent boarding school, and Briski sees their photography as a means to fund their education.

The spectre of long odds and narrow choices shades every frame, yet the tone is often buoyant and inspirational, as when the class runs riot during a seaside field trip. Born Into Brothels testifies to the kids untaught resilience and hope, and to their mentor's selfless energy.

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Event Type Film
Dedicated event Behind the Screen
Event venue Human Rights Action Centre, 17 - 25 New Inn Yard, London EC2A 3EA
Time 6.30pm
Price Free of charge
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