Critic's Grade: A+

What was your inspiration to create such a moving, exquisite, highly hypnotic cinematic film? That would be my question to co-producers and writers Ross Kauffman and Zana Briski that bring you into the dark world of the red light district of Calcutta, India.

In 1998, British-born photojournalist Zana Briski makes her way to a foreign land where no one truly escapes from Calcutta. She packs her bags to set fourth on an incredible journey where she begins videotaping this award-winning documentary with one goal in mind. It sets its eyes on eight children these youngsters with little to no education look toward a life of photography. Overcoming language, culture, and ethnicity she literally spends months recording what she sees and living among these intelligent, eager to learn children. Zana, made the decision to teach these kids how to take snap-shots developing, creating their own voice, and eventually a portfolio of sensational work. After everything these children go through they kept their young minds open this is where photography put their inner demons on hold.

Zana, thrived on teaching them and the kids eagerly captured their life through the lens. It was as simple as painting, or drawing but in this world a single photograph spoke with the greatest volume. They were the artists and they had a very interesting, devastating, nerve bending reality-which they live through.

The world of the red light district didn't make it easy especially if you are an outsider looking in. All the children came from broken homes mostly mothers who have it so bad where prostitution is the way to make money. It's an eerie look into how these women even survive the chaotic downfall of the community that surrounds their homes. They live in a gloomy, filthy, environment where anything can happen especially when it turns nightfall.

The film does take you for a bit of a scare due to the environment she takes the children to get HIV tested. Since, all of them are vulnerable to the at times dangerous surroundings it brings you a sense of relieve that the test came away proofed negative.

It's amazing to me just how these children manage to keep their heads up high and look forward to a very certain future. The film is incredibly sad and often than not gives the audience something to really feast there eyes on. It has compassion, hope, dignity, and selflessness that someone really does truly care.

The film caresses the close-ups with respect to the young artists with the intention of getting them noticed. I will vote right now that Born Into Brothels needs a nomination this year for the best documentary category at the 77th Annual Oscars. Even though the film is in very limited theatrical release try to see this amazingly respectful and human feature film.

Dan's Review **** star(s)

All Reviews by Dan Berman
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