Live Flesh

Helping to Understand Different Social Realities

Born into Brothels is a film that portrays the hellish social context in which some extraordinary children of Calcutta's red light district have to experience their lives. As I discussed in my past essay, documentary and narrative films can be used to make a social statement and convey people about different social issues in our world. This documentary educates and inspires people who have some social activist spirit, and for sure, will generate economic contribution to alleviate the social circumstance in which these children have to live.

However, it is very frustrating to know that although Zana gives them an opportunity to abandon that neighborhood surrounded by prostitutes and drug addicts, they and their parents choose to stay in the red light district. This is a lesson for me and everyone who watches the film because it shows us how choices in life can change our destiny. These children show enthusiasm when Zana takes pictures. Then, she gets cameras for them and teaches them to take "good" pictures. These children have made a choice, the choice of learning the art of photography. That was their choice, and this leads them to a new stage of knowledge and education. However, when they have the chance to face a new world full of opportunities, they and their parents make the wrong choice and they doom themselves.

Another aspect of the film that is relevant to me is the fact that even in the ugliest place we can imagine, there are children, and thus, beauty, naiveness, and talent. Is amazing how these children accept the social context and admit that although they are aware of it, they can still be happy. Here is another lesson for me because sometimes I forget how lucky I am by being in this nation and enjoy all the opportunities I run into life. Everyone should be aware of this and think of helping those who lack the comfort