Born Into Brothels: Calcutta's Red Light Kids 2004

In the heart of Calcutta’s Red Light District, where the boundaries between reality and exploitation blur, a documentary takes shape, weaving together the threads of human resilience. Director Zana Briski (Zana Briski) sets out to capture the lives of India’s sex workers, but finds herself drawn into the world of their children, who are born into the very brothels where their mothers work. As she immerses herself in this environment, Briski becomes an integral part of their daily struggles and triumphs, earning the affectionate nickname “Zana Auntie” from the children.

With a deep sense of purpose, Briski decides to harness the power of photography as a means to break the cycle of poverty and hopelessness that surrounds these young lives. She equips each child with a camera, teaching them the fundamentals of capturing life’s beauty and complexity. As they snap away, they reveal aspects of their world that outsiders can only imagine – gritty, raw, and unflinching.

As the children’s photography flourishes, Briski seizes the opportunity to showcase their work in New York City and Calcutta, exposing them to local and global attention. The experience is nothing short of euphoric for these young artists, who watch in awe as strangers admire and connect with their work via video conferencing.

Meanwhile, one child stands out from the rest – Avijit (no actor name provided) – whose remarkable talent sets him apart. His photographs are so striking that he’s selected to represent India at a prestigious international photography convention in Amsterdam. This once-in-a-lifetime chance propels Avijit into the spotlight, and with it, a newfound sense of purpose and possibility.

As the documentary draws to a close, Briski has secured spots for most of the children at boarding schools, a beacon of hope that they might escape the brothels’ grasp. However, not all guardians are willing to relinquish their control, and several children ultimately return to the brothels, leaving viewers grappling with the complexities of this harsh reality.