Born into Brothels!

Happened to watch this documentary feature by chance and was simply amazed by the way it was made. From what I have seen until now, a documentary showcases a certain problem in all its possible entirety. This one actually went ahead and provided/implemented a solution. The implementation part was really touching. Trying to get the kids out of the brothel is itself a huge effort, getting them to go to a boarding school is definitely something else.

From the point that I knew a change would be made to the kids by the Film maker, I wished that Kochi, Avijit and Gour would take advantage of the change. After his mother dies, Avijit kind of gets ignorant and does not seem to care about his selection into Photo Press Conference(or whatever) in Amsterdam. It was sinking feeling to see him lose his life's best opportunity. Thanks to Zana's determination, she works on getting his passport done and makes sure that he goes to Amsterdam. Having seen the Indian bureaucracy myself, I empathise with Zana for her struggle to get Avijit's certificates. It was good to see that Avijit go to school after he returns from Amsterdam and Kochi continuing to study. However, felt a li'l bad for Gour as his parents does not allow him to go to school. His kind of parents should be tried in the court for not allowing their child to study even after talking to them about the benefits of getting an education. From the way he speaks, he seemed to have nice thoughts and a mature view of the world, given the circumstances in which he was brought up.

Puja's mother seemed positive when the school authorities spoke to her, but later, withdraws Puja from school. The first day when she goes to school, the grandmother says that her mother died on a thursday at 5 PM and so, she does not allow anything to be done on a thursday in her house. What is she? an Idiot....her beliefs have more preferences than future for the child.

I wonder how many such children will get a chance to learn photography from a professional, to be in a boarding school. It feels bad that not all of them have taken advantage of the opportunity.

Zana Briski, take a bow for making such a wonderful film in a refreshingly different way.