Born Into Brothels: Calcutta's Red Light Kids 2004

Filmed in the heart of Calcutta’s Red Light District, this poignant documentary delves into the lives of children born into the city’s brothels, children of sex workers. The director, Zana Briski, initially aimed to capture the lives of India’s sex workers through her photography. However, she faced significant challenges in gaining permission to photograph them directly. Undeterred, she immersed herself in the environment by residing in the Red Light District, ultimately forming deep connections with the children of the prostitutes.

Affectionately dubbed “Zana Auntie” by the kids, she embarks on a mission to utilize photography as a means to offer them a glimpse of hope and a chance for a brighter future. By providing each child with a camera, she teaches them the fundamentals of photography. These children, who have always lived within the confines of the brothels, manage to capture perspectives of their surroundings that outsiders have never seen.

As their photographic skills develop, Zana becomes determined to leverage their work to secure educational opportunities for them in boarding schools. She organizes a showcase of their art in New York City, allowing the children to watch the excitement unfold through video. On top of that, she arranges a second exhibition at a local bookstore in Calcutta, letting the children witness firsthand how their creations resonate with others. As their work gains attention both locally and internationally, many of these children begin to nurture a sense of hope regarding their futures beyond the brothel walls.

Among them, one child named Avijit emerges as a standout talent, earning the privilege to represent India at a global photography convention in Amsterdam. Throughout the film’s progression, Zana diligently secures placements for many children in boarding schools with the aspiration of steering them away from the harsh realities of the brothels. However, the journey is not without challenges, as not every child is granted the freedom to leave, and some are compelled to return to the brothels by their guardians, highlighting the stark realities that persist even as hopes rise.