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Born into Brothels

Type: Feature
Released: 2004
Length: 85 min.
Directed by: Zana Briski
Directed by: Ross Kauffman

Crew

Music John McDowell

Full credits (Main credits only)

Themes

Status

  • Available on DVD/VHS

Synopsis:

Academy award winning documentary Born into Brothels gives a touching snapshot of Calcutta’s forgotten children. In the bleak underbelly of Sonagchi's red light district, a group of children, many destined for the brothels, find a ray of light when cameras are given to them to document their days. Director and professional photographer Zana Briski leads the pack alongside co-director and cinematographer Ross Kauffman. Here, the cameras become a creative outlet for the youngsters to let loose, while, concurrently, acting as a viewfinder into the warm hearts, imaginative minds and resilient natures of the children. Briski forms a close bond with the children, whom she is determined to provide brighter futures for. 

Awards

2005 Academy Award, Best Documentary Feature

2005 IFP Independent Spirit Awards, DIRECTV/IFC Truer Than Fiction Award

2004 L.A. Film Critics, Best Documentary of the Year

2004 International Documentary Association
Distinguished Documentary Achievement Award

2004 National Board of Review, Best Documentary of the Year

2004 Sundance Film Festival Audience Award

2004 Human Rights Watch, Nestor Almendros Prize for Courage in Filmmaking

2004 Seattle International Film Festival, Best Documentary Award

2004 Silverdocs Film Festival, Audience Award

2004 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, Audience Award

2004 Atlanta Film Festival, Turner Broadcasting Audience Award

2004 Nashville Film Festival, Best Documentary and Audience Awards

2004 Cleveland Film Festival, Audience Award

2004 Amnesty International Film Festival, Audience Award

2004 Bermuda Film Festival, Best Documentary and Audience Awards

2004 Durango Film Festival, Best Documentary, Filmmaker's and Audience Awards

2004 Newport Beach Film Festival Special Merit Award

2004 Artivist Film Festival, Children's Day Award

2004 Sydney Int'l Film Festival, Audience Award

2004 BendFilm, Audience Award and Best Score

2004 Chicago Int'l Film Festival, The Gold Hugo for Best Documentary Feature and The "Level Above the Rest" prize

2004 High Falls Film Festival, Audience Award for Best Documentary

2005 Portland Film Festival, Best Documentary

Ashland International Film Festival 2005, Best Documentary

Planete Doc Review, Warsaw 2005, Audience Award


Links

http://www.kids-with-cameras.org/bornintobrothels/

Buy it now at Amazon.co.uk!


Synopsis:
Academy award winning documentary Born into Brothels gives a touching snapshot of Calcutta’s forgotten children. In the bleak underbelly of Sonagchi's red light district, a group of children, many destined for the brothels, find a ray of light when cameras are given to them to document their days. Director and professional photographer Zana Briski leads the pack alongside co-director and cinematographer Ross Kauffman. Here, the cameras become a creative outlet for the youngsters to let loose, while, concurrently, acting as a viewfinder into the warm hearts, imaginative minds and resilient natures of the children. Briski forms a close bond with the children, whom she is determined to provide brighter futures for. 
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