Born Into Brothels

In Zana Briski's documentary film, Born Into Brothels, she documents the lives of children growing up in Calcutta’s red light district. Her film reveals the most intimate details of their lives. Briski uses those details as evidence in an argument about the effects that living in the red light district has on these children. Write a blog in which you explore this. Is it fair that the children’s lives are “on display” for all the world to see? What about their privacy? Can a child “give consent” to be portrayed in this way? Do the “ends” justify the “means”? Is her documentary ultimately “successful”? How do you measure its success? Minimum length: 200 words

After viewing the film, and doing some brief research on Zana Briski, I feel the documentary was very successful. For me personally, I was ignorant, having no idea of the lives which were led by these young children. The film made me realize just how fortunate I am.
The lifestyle of the red light district in calcutta is not a healthy environment for children to grow up. They are born, essentially, with no chance of getting out.
This is were Briski comes in.
The question of whether it was "right" or "wrong" of her display the lives of these children for the world to see is no simple one to answer. In my opinion, by doing so, Briski gave these children a chance, a glimmer of hope.
Avijit, the boy who exhibited exceptional talent, is now out of the brothel, and studying in Europe. Without Briski and her photography class, he could never even dream of this opportunity. You don't have to look very hard to find the positive effects of the documentary. Briski was able to place a handful of children in boarding school across India, removing them from the brothel. Yes, some did choose to go back, or were forced, but at least they were given a chance. Briski could only do so much...
Furthermore, as an after effect of the film, Briski has created a non-profit organization, Kids with Cameras, dedicated to giving that glimmer of hope to underprivaledged children around the world.
((Alan))