Born Into Brothels

Year: 2004

Grade: B

Country: India

Director: Ross/Briski

Review

at times a pretty raw documentary (by academy award winning film standards) that follows a group of kids living in the red light district in calcutta. it reminded me most of a documentary that is even more raw, and far less known, called “body without soul.” ultimately this film is a more life-affirming work because of the good work that the directors are doing to help the children find ways out of their difficult home life. it only hardens my belief that, for many, fate is dependent upon opportunity. as good a film as this is, i never felt like the documentary got into the lives of the subjects as much as better documentaries do. american movie and hoop dreams are the two best examples of a documentarian delving deeper into the subject’s life.