Human Rights Film Series: Born into Brothels

The Human Rights Film Series presents its first film of the season:

Born into Brothels

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Born into Brothels is an Oscar-winning documentary about the lives of eight children born in Sonagchi, Kolkata's notorious red light district. They are the children of sex workers and it was brutally inevitable that without help, they would be trapped in the vicious circle of poverty, prostitution and drug addiction that seemed to be a settled way of life there. The children's hope for a better future, however, was lit when they met Zana Briski, a British photographer, who went to Kolkata in an attempt to document prostitution in Sonagchi. She gave them cameras, taught them photography and inspired them to change their lives. Briski was determined to ensure that these intellectually curious and optimistic children received the education that they were entitled to.

The documentary thus brings into focus the importance of the right to education. Enshrined in Article 28 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, a child's right to education is a fundamental human right that is often taken for granted in many countries. Yet exposed in the documentary are numerous hurdles that prevent many children in Kolkata from gaining access to education, from destitution to the very fact that some schools refuse to admit them because of their status as children of prostitutes.

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The Human Rights Film Series is a student-led initiative of the Human Rights Law Centre. It shows engaging and provocative films which bring challenging human rights issues to life. The context of each film is briefly introduced by a relevant expert followed by discussion.

Screenings are organised by a student committee and are free and open to students and staff.