Born Into Brothels

This is Zana Briski accepting her Academy Award for her documentary from the India Tribune.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050301/wd3.jpg



Zana Briski explores every single aspect of these children's lives that makes them stand out, in a sense, comparing them to poor people in the United States. She shows her audience how there's a difference between not having enough money to being in extreme poverty. It's quite fair that the lives of these children are "on display." In no way does this public display of their lives hurt them. If anything, it helps them because every single person who has seen this movie will be effected by it. Whether one will simply donate a dollar to Briski's organization, buy one of the kid's photos or even start their own movement, there is a difference being made. Even people like me who saw this movie made a difference. I told at least 2 people about this movie when I got done watching it and they were deeply engaged in what it was all about. Obviously, there was a privacy issue and I'm sure the children and their parents gave consent to have their lives taped and be in a documentary seen throughout the world. The ends for sure justify the means. Just by making this documentary, Briski is successful by getting her story out. A child can give consent, even though they do not know how Briski is going to portray them. Their parents should know that obviously Zana is out to prove something and they are "risking" their identity to be shown to the public. I think her documentary is successful and we see this in the clip that goes back to Calcutta 3 years later. They were all better educated, had a stronger sense of self and knew about their world around them. Although some may still live in the brothels, they are better educated and have more options on what to do with their lives.

-Britt