Have you ever seen a photo essay in National Geographic and thought I wonder whatever became of the kids in the picture? The documentarians of Born Into Brothels does one better. Rather than take pictures and leave, children born into Calcutta's red-light district are given cameras, are taught to use them, and trained to become skillful photographers. Then, the kids' photographs are used to raise awareness and funds so that they can go to boarding schools and escape an otherwise harrowing destiny. This movie, a slim 85 minutes, captures the entire journey. Utterly Amazing.… Collapse

I saw this movie with my psychology class. it is one of those movies that move you. i cried. it helped me relize that i take things for granted.

Great documentary, a little slow though with an aburt ending. The children were magnificent, playful and full of life. My favorite scene is of them dancing on the bus shot with grainy film. The tales were harrowing to say the least. The issue of their mothers being Prostitutes was not what bothered me but it was the poverty, drug addiction, forced labor, child prostitution, slavery, pimping & murder (which the law turned a blind eye to) that bothered me. The caste system seems still to be in effect. But on a up note it was nice to see someone spend so much effort to try to help these kids out of an utterly desperate situation. And in the end some of them did seem like they really had a chance for a better life.… Expand

Well constructed, did not want to care about this subject but director pulled me in through introduction of kids.

Its one of the best documentaries that not only touch your heart, but lite you up to bring your potential to something for the people. Its an eye-opener, I had never thought about those kids before! Now I am ready to adopt one of them.

The most uplifting yet serious examination of the human spirit. A must-see. the kids are terrific, the visuals are compelling.

Though the title may not convey it, this was without question the single most uplifting film I saw all year. Tragic, yet ultimately life-affirming. These children---who are ignored and used by their families and shunned by Indian authorities as beneath "untouchable"---manage to maintain their optimism, spirit and humanity. The filmmakers didn't just shoot this picture, they lived it. And it shows. Well shot (mostly with hand held cameras) in a fascinating locale. Great music too. Can't recommend more highly. Forget the depressing title and see this film. Better still, contribute to helping these kids at kids-with-cameras.org… Expand

It was a moving movie that helped me realize and appreciate everything I have. It also shows the horrible things that go on around the world that sometimes we cannot do anything about.

This is one of the most beautiful, moving, and inspirational films I have ever seen. It attests to the creative force of the human being. I'm telling everyone to see it!

This movie really moved me, Zana Briski was so inspiring. I give her so much credit for what she di. What is she doing know I wounder?

It was alright. very pretentious and repetetive. i saw a doc on pbs the week before i went to this movie of similar content, yet the tv movie was much more interesting, well-constructed, and moving.

A fascinating film, but I couldn't shake the sense that these people spent all this time to make a movie that would portray themselves as saints, and engender exactly the kind of reactions you read here. Are Briski's efforts, which ultimately have mixed results at best, truly selfless and noble if they are trumpeted in this manner?