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Everything Changes

The more messed up this world gets, the more God makes sense.

Calcutta's Red Light Kids


A few months ago while visiting my sister in Illinois I went to the local Blockbuster video store. They were having a special sale on previously viewed movies. I spotted two DVDs that I had heard about and quickly snatched up the only remaining copies.

One of them is called Born Into Brothels: Calcutta's Red Light Kids. And it wasn't until this evening that I finally decided to watch this Academy Award winning Best Documentary.
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.
Now YOU know more than I even knew prior to watching this film. Even so, the documentary's bio doesn't highlight just how important photography became for these children. It was so significant that one of the children earned a trip to the World Press Photo conference in Amsterdam. Only nine children from around the world are selected to attend each year.

I have loved taking pictures since I was a child. I was given my first camera before I reached the age of ten and I've never looked back. During my teen years I considered becoming a professional photographer. I even looked into attending Rochester Institute of Technology for Photographic Arts. I changed my mind and decided to work for two years before attending college.

But that didn't stop me from taking pictures. Lots of pictures. And this film, although tragic in nature, inspired me to take better pictures.

You'll have to rent it to find out why.

This entry was posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 at 11:50 PM. You can skip to the end and leave a response.

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12:40 AM

this movie litterally changed my life. I have been trying to find out ways to get involved with this organization or how to start something just like it right here at home....I cry everytime I watch it.    



1:09 PM

My fav quote in the movie, when referring to a photo of a homeless woman:

We get a good sense of how these people live. And though there is sadness in it and though it is hard to face, we must look at it because it is truth.

- Avijit, one of the child photographers    



5:16 PM

Picture this: :-/

" Six year old Shanthi sat weeping in the pouring rain with her nine month old baby brother on her lap. She was hungry,thirsty and alone. Her 23 year old mother, a temple prostitute, had died of AIDS, and the two children had been evicted from their from their dubious shelter."
Dr. Aletta Bell,
Missionary to India    



9:27 AM

I seem to recall this movie...in fact I think I watched it with Christa. Definitely made me think...    



8:07 PM

I really enjoyed the movie. It dose make you think. But I also care about the Invisiable Children Project as well. Both need to see a better light of day in Both Africa and India..    



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