Documentary Film Analysis: Born Into Brothels Directed by Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman

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This paper examines the criticisms on the highly acclaimed documentary Born Into Brothels directed by Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman. This film follows Briski’s attempt to save a group of children from Sonagachi by teaching photography and efforts of registering these children into boarding schools. This paper is divided in two major sections; the first portion discusses whether or not it is essential to remove these children from their homes in order to rescue them from their lives in the red light district in India. The second portion of this paper examines what this documentary reveals overall about the politics of saving children from other cultures. Sonagachi is India’s red light district, which raises a lot of concerns for the children living in this city. This documentary is praised for its magnificent visuals, the children’s charm and the heartwarming tale of Briski’s outreach endeavours however; this film is also criticized on several counts. The following portion of this paper discusses critiques on the film as well as argues that removing the children from Sonagachi is not a necessity but instead there should be a stronger focus on solutions for the community as a whole.
This section of the paper discusses Partha Banerjee’s criticisms to the film and argues the potential of the film to take a more activist role in working towards a communal solution rather than removing the children from Sonagachi. Partha Banerjee wrote a letter regarding the documentary Born Into Brothels to AMPAS, which is the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, this group organizes the Oscars. This documentary highlights Briski’s commendable outreach work however; it fails to recognize the efforts put in by the residents of Sonagachi and it i...

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... of the people who reside in Sonagachi to work towards a communal solution rather than removing the children from their homes in attempts to rescue them. The second part discusses the film’s overall say about the politics of saving children from other cultures and it challenges the suggestion that the only solution is the aid from westerners to save these children from their situation. Born Into Brothels is a visually stunning film, however, it is flawed in it attempt to make a positive change in Sonagachi.

Works Cited

Briski, Z. & Kauffman R. (Directors). (2004). Born Into Brothels [Documentary]. United States: THINKFilm.

Michel F. (2005, August). "Born into Brothels" Controversy. [Web blog comment]. Retrieved from http://www.solidarity-us.org/site/node/261

Partha Banerjee’s Letter to AMPAS
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Articles/partha_ban/born_into_brothels.htm

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