I just watched this documentary a few nights ago, and boy, is it good. The two filmakers capture their time in the “red light district” in Sonagchi, Calcutta, and the relationships they formed with the children of the prostitutes who work there. Zana Briski, A London native, teaches these children (Ages 10-14) the art of photography, gives them each a camera, and instructs them to take pictures of their world as they see it. The photos the children take, and their understanding of life is utterly jaw-dropping. The filmakers show that there is hope for these children amidst a people and a culture that are so hopeless. They show that there is hope for these children even though they themselves wrestle with the fact that they can do so little. The honesty of this documentary is what gripped me most. The honesty of the children as they express that they see no hope for themselves, and the honesty of the filmakers as they think that all of their sacrifice might be in vain.
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Born Into Brothels was a very inspiring film for me. Over the past few months I had given up on trying to help the world. I saw that tragedy was all around me and there was nothing I could really do. So I gave up. The film caused me to think about that decision I had made.
Do I do nothing and them at some point die after living my life for myself?
Or do I life and die for something bigger than myself? Like love
The film help bring me to the conclusion that if I give my whole life to trying to help humanity and I fail at leased I tried. If I live for myself what would I gain anyway? A home with a three-car garage that will fall apart someday? No matter what I choose it lead to my death. So why don’t I do something with my life? Why don’t I live and die for someone else?
One scene in the movie really stood out to me. When one of the families could not afford 25 cents to send their child to school that made my heart break. For five weeks there has been a quarter on my bathroom floor. I don’t know how it got there but I see it everyday and I never pick it up. God has given me so much. I could help send a child to school and it would cost me virtually nothing. I was born in America for a reason and it wasn’t the “American Dream”.
We can do whatever we want in America. We have the money and the rights. So why don’t we do something? Lets stop just talking about and lets do something.
Posted by Cole
Wow sounds pretty intense! I will have to watch it. Miss you and the Heath so much, Ryan!! I love the pics of Lilly and Fabio’s wedding too!
Posted by Sarah
really looking forward to seeing this, thanks for the review.
Posted by billy
Wow, that sounds like an amazing movie. Nathan and I will have to watch that sometime.
Posted by Marieke
Ryan…oh Ryan.
Where are you? Maybe you will write something after inspiration comes from the goth party?
Posted by Sarah