Born into Brothels is a 2004 documentary film by Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman. This film chronicles the lives of children living in Sonagachi, Kolkata's red-light district, through their own photography. The children are the offspring of the prostitutes of the area. The filmmakers wanted to draw attention to the plight of the children living in these impoverished and harsh conditions. Briski founded the non-profit Kids With Cameras, which is dedicated to empowering marginalized children around the world through the art of photography.
The film follows the lives of several children as they learn to express themselves through art and photography. The film's highlights include the children's photos of their daily lives, which offer a gritty, stylized glimpse into their world. The children's images have been displayed around the world. Eventually, the photographs caught the attention of international media, and several children were given scholarships to study in the United States.
The film has been critically acclaimed and has won several notable awards, including the 77th Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. It is a powerful exploration of the challenges and opportunities for children living in poverty and the ways in which art can help bridge the gap between different cultures. Born into Brothels is a thought-provoking and moving documentary that sheds light on an often-overlooked aspect of modern life.