Born Into Brothels

A film by Ross Kaufman and Zana Briski.
Definitely not new, but it was something which I had always wanted to watch. Finally a colleague who just came back from the US had the DVD and lent it to me over the weekend.

I had earlier had the chance to look at the photo exhibits taken by the kids and I was completely ....WOW....blown into bits. I will never ever believe that some of these shots were taken by kids as young as 10 years of age. Very adult themes, very matured eye.

For those who have not heard of the documentary, it is related to the Kids with Cameras fund. Zana Briski was originally a photographer who headed towards Calcutta's red light district to complete a project on prostitution there. The chance encounters with the numerous kids of the prostitutes made her abandon her original work and she embarked on the documentary "born into brothels". The kids at the many brothel houses took on a huge amount of interest in the little gadget Briski was holding - her camera. It was this that sparked a new realization in Briski - she had to free these kids. She started classes for the kids at these brothel homes, teaching them all she knew about professional photography. The Kids with Cameras fund was also established in 2002, with the sole purpose of empowering these marginalised children through learning the art of photography. The works of these children had been exhibited in various location and can be bought over the kids with cameras website above.

The good thing about this documentary was that it did not dwell on the usual sappy side that such documentaries tend to spiral towards. Instead, it was a straightforward film about how the kids was drawn into a totally foreign world of photogarphy and how Briski found so much joy and meaning in helping these kids, who would otherwise end up as prostitutes most likely. Its sad, but the caste system still exists, and many of these kids will grow up not knowing what school was, never being able to read anything.......things that I have taken for granted all this while.

My BGM today : Summary
(A Japanese friend who is suffering from 皮膚筋炎sent me this live recording. She said that after hearing this song, she felt extremely encouraged. Hope it does the same to me eh !)

Lyrics below :
振り向かずに行こう
遥かなあの未来へ
大きな夢運ぶ僕らは時の旅人

繋がってくHistory
受け継がれた情熱
この胸の誇りはけして離しはしなぃ

Rise太陽は昇り
Shine鮮やかに燃える 全ての命が今輝く

Break out x 2　 時代を切り開く New Story
Go ahead x 2 迷う暇はなぃ
Don't be afraid Dream On

Go out x 2 生きてく証を刻むんだ
Believe in yourself 　　かけがえのないこの時に