Born Into Brothels Documentary
Documentary is the creative interpretation of reality according to British film maker John Grierson. Reality in its natural form is too complex to be re-created and therefore documentaries offer a particular version of reality. The creators own personal values, attitudes and judgments influence this reconstructed form of reality and use symbolic, written, technical and audio codes to help persuade it's audience to accept their version. This occurred in the documentary Born into Brothels' directed by Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman.
Born into Brothels documents the lives of eight local children for a on and off period of two years. Zana Briski initially went to India to photograph the prostitutes but when meeting their children came to feel that the children might be saved or given hope by …show more content…
giving them cameras and teaching them to capture their surroundings. One of the children, Gour, spoke about photography, "I want to show in my pictures how people live in this city. I want to put across the behavior of man." The photograph's of the children's lives from their point of view were extremely successful, being sold by Ms. Briski to fund their education.
Throughout the documentary Born into Brothels' the viewer is able to understand the difficulties in making their own lives better than their ancestors, even with outside help. This event can be explained with reference to the saying "a leopard cannot change it's spots" however, within the documentary more than one generation is concerned and it is not impossible, just significantly harder.
The main relationship between the two statements can be described using specific examples from the documentary. The photos these children took were sold to the public with the aim of using the profits to pay for their education. For any poverty stricken family one of the main reasons that children are unable to attend school is because they don't have enough money to send them to school. The children in the documentary had the money to go to school, yet when enquiring about acceptance into various boarding schools were rejected as they would not accept the children of sex workers. This is one example of a child not being able to make their lives better than their parents, they are at a disadvantage from the beginning just because they are a child of a prostitute.
Whilst remembering a documentary seeks to convince the audience of the "truth of their interpretation of events and issues", it is a given that documentaries must be specifically constructed in order to persuade viewers. Some techniques employed in "Born into Brothels" include the approach to the issue, the sex workers and also the families are portrayed as victims when some may consider them filth. A scene was included in the documentary regarding one child's mother being killed in a so called fire by a client of hers, it was then indicated that the lack of police investigation or protection was due to their line of work and the area they live in. This helps influence the audience into believing these people are victims as basic protection was not even provided for them.
Close-ups are often used to establish empathy between the audience and a character, this is because it is so intimate; the shots allow the audience's attention to focus on certain facial expressions and detail. Throughout the documentary Born into Brothels' the audiences attention is frequently directed to a close-up of the children's reaction to their surroundings. Sometime it is blank, other times it is, to an extent sad. At other times the cameraman is extremely lucky to capture the delight of the children when they experience something new, something exciting, even something that provides hope. The children went on an excursion to the beach; the camera was able to capture their reactions as none of them had seen the beach before. The shots were successful in persuading viewers to reflect the emotions these children showed. At times the children were upset, the viewers observe this emotion and then felt sad themselves. Often viewers subconsciously smiled when close-ups f the children laughing and smiling were shown.
Setting was used to visually describe location, it showed to viewers the conditions in which they live in, and the streets are neither clean nor safe. It was also used as an educational tool as it showed to viewers the parallel links the documentary made between third world countries and India in order for the viewer to understand that India was experiencing poverty even though they had shelter and clothing.
Setting is not the only tool for describing location traditional cultural music can also be used to allow viewers to learn where the action takes place. This is because many different cultures around the world have their own traditional music. When an audience hears this music, because they associate music with cultures and cultures with a place or location, viewers learn where they are. The use of music can also be employed to indicate to the viewer the emotions and thoughts they should be experiencing. An example of this occurring within the documentary is in the opening scenes. The music begins quite slow and somber. This is used to reinforce close up shots of the children's emotionless faces, bringing sympathetic views to the minds of the audience. This scene then changes to one of the children playing in the streets and the music becomes more up-tempo and joyous. By doing this the directors have set the scene for the documentary, showing to the audience that while the situation in India is serious and not at all to be taken easily, there is still childhood joy and quite possibly hope for the children.
One lighting technique that was commonly used throughout Born into Brothels', was the use of a red filter that appears over the screen. *SHOW OPENING SCENE* As you can see there is a red filter over the lens, this also occurs in many other scenes where the camera is speeding through the streets of the district. The red filter is not only used to draw in viewers, by letting them know something bad is goi, it also
Written codes are an essential part of Briski and Kauffman's documentary as they allow for interpretation of the characters speech. It also provides a conclusion for the documentary as each child is shown on screen with their outcome written beneath them letting viewers know if they stayed at school or not.
Selection of detail also contributes greatly to the overall outcome of the documentary. When making a documentary, creators carefully select the material they intend to include and intentionally omit other information. The creators of Born into Brothels' frequently added in scenes to make the children look innocent, they were never presented as violent any arguments between the children were played down to what seemed to be cute little kid arguments yet one has to question that in these particular conditions wouldn't the children have a more violent side. This occurs so the viewer is always able to be positioned into accepting values and attitudes presented by the children. An example of the directors adding in segments so the viewer is able to be positioned by the child is when Avijit is talking about his dreams on the way to the airport to go overseas to a photography skills exhibition.
The point of view of the documentary is also constructed through its narrative structure. The documentary is created around the central problem of getting the children into school. The use of a localizer helps engage the viewer and can even be used to position viewers into believing ideas presented in the documentary. The localizers in Born into Brothels' is not just the children but also the presenter Zana Briski. She carries the film as well as getting up close and personal to the children, she is the reason the children are able to photograph their surroundings allowing viewers to see them from the children's point of view. She is the one who tries endlessly to get the children into boarding schools in order to stop the cycle of poverty.
The subject matter for Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman's documentary was complex, it was one that did not lack interest. Many of the directors values and attitudes are presented to the viewers through out the documentary as they re-created their version of reality.
Some that were evident through out Born into Brothels' were the fact that money is not a big determinant of happiness. The children have to work instead of playing, and money is spent on making ends meet. In a western word money is the center of many children's lives with the latest play stations and computer games to keep them occupied and happy.
Children in India cannot afford these luxuries, but are still seen smiling and playing.
The documentary Born into Brothels' doesn't use fancy words, nor does it use high tech camera equipment, it doesn't even employ the use of a presenter in formal wear. Aside from these facts it is highly informative. Not only does it bring to light the fact that poverty is experienced in the seemingly prosperous India, it also presents to viewers, a different form of poverty. Unlike those in third world countries, the people in India live in apartment style buildings wear somewhat similar clothing to those in the Western
World, yet still they experience poverty. The documentary explores the similarities and differences between the poverty that is experienced in India to that which would be experienced in a place live Ethiopia. Like those in third world countries, the lower class of India does not have running water and the children are required to provide basic meals for the family. By showing the children's art to western audiences it may also serve to make people more aware of the potential talent of millions of other third world children who struggle for daily existence. It may even persuade others to take action in combating poverty around the world.
Even with all the information provided by the documentary it still proves to be highly enjoyable. This is because it gets so up close and personal with the children who are truly delightful. I was expecting a documentary about the poverty in India, instead the viewers almost get a feature film with an introduction, a conflict and a resolution. Instead of making a social comment about poverty I felt that Born into Brothels' used the eight children to tell a story, instead of using them to represent a number of Indian children and families. A more positive aspect of the documentary was the emotion it was able to draw out in the viewers. The main subjects being children really captures the viewers hearts, their innocence finds beauty in the ugly environment they are surrounded by. Watching the documentary Born into Brothels' breaks many hearts that eight such lively children live in such horrid conditions.
It leaves viewers with a mixture of emotions.
Hopefulness and hopelessness; amazement and shock at human nature; sadness at the overwhelming poverty, filth and indifference of a society that lets a community like this exist and yet tremendous happiness at the children's joy in living their lives with innocent play and indestructible ambition. The kitchen fire scene is one scene that leaves viewers feeling a mixture of feelings such as those described. The scene where Zana Briski enquires about the kitchen fire is then juxtaposed with the images of the five girls and three boys laughing and playing happily or excitedly taking pictures with their cameras. This proves to be an ironic contrast and it brings to the attention of the viewers, exactly how the children live, showing the uncivilized environment they have to grow up in. This can be universally interpreted as a wake up call to many people around the world who are well off and do not know or care for those with no positive future to look forward to. It successfully brings into view the harsh reality of human inequality in society and the directors succeed in presenting this in a way to enlighten spirits and provide
hope.
Born into Brothels documents the lives of eight local children for a on and off period of two years. Zana Briski initially went to India to photograph the prostitutes but when meeting their children came to feel that the children might be saved or given hope by …show more content…
giving them cameras and teaching them to capture their surroundings. One of the children, Gour, spoke about photography, "I want to show in my pictures how people live in this city. I want to put across the behavior of man." The photograph's of the children's lives from their point of view were extremely successful, being sold by Ms. Briski to fund their education.
Throughout the documentary Born into Brothels' the viewer is able to understand the difficulties in making their own lives better than their ancestors, even with outside help. This event can be explained with reference to the saying "a leopard cannot change it's spots" however, within the documentary more than one generation is concerned and it is not impossible, just significantly harder.
The main relationship between the two statements can be described using specific examples from the documentary. The photos these children took were sold to the public with the aim of using the profits to pay for their education. For any poverty stricken family one of the main reasons that children are unable to attend school is because they don't have enough money to send them to school. The children in the documentary had the money to go to school, yet when enquiring about acceptance into various boarding schools were rejected as they would not accept the children of sex workers. This is one example of a child not being able to make their lives better than their parents, they are at a disadvantage from the beginning just because they are a child of a prostitute.
Whilst remembering a documentary seeks to convince the audience of the "truth of their interpretation of events and issues", it is a given that documentaries must be specifically constructed in order to persuade viewers. Some techniques employed in "Born into Brothels" include the approach to the issue, the sex workers and also the families are portrayed as victims when some may consider them filth. A scene was included in the documentary regarding one child's mother being killed in a so called fire by a client of hers, it was then indicated that the lack of police investigation or protection was due to their line of work and the area they live in. This helps influence the audience into believing these people are victims as basic protection was not even provided for them.
Close-ups are often used to establish empathy between the audience and a character, this is because it is so intimate; the shots allow the audience's attention to focus on certain facial expressions and detail. Throughout the documentary Born into Brothels' the audiences attention is frequently directed to a close-up of the children's reaction to their surroundings. Sometime it is blank, other times it is, to an extent sad. At other times the cameraman is extremely lucky to capture the delight of the children when they experience something new, something exciting, even something that provides hope. The children went on an excursion to the beach; the camera was able to capture their reactions as none of them had seen the beach before. The shots were successful in persuading viewers to reflect the emotions these children showed. At times the children were upset, the viewers observe this emotion and then felt sad themselves. Often viewers subconsciously smiled when close-ups f the children laughing and smiling were shown.
Setting was used to visually describe location, it showed to viewers the conditions in which they live in, and the streets are neither clean nor safe. It was also used as an educational tool as it showed to viewers the parallel links the documentary made between third world countries and India in order for the viewer to understand that India was experiencing poverty even though they had shelter and clothing.
Setting is not the only tool for describing location traditional cultural music can also be used to allow viewers to learn where the action takes place. This is because many different cultures around the world have their own traditional music. When an audience hears this music, because they associate music with cultures and cultures with a place or location, viewers learn where they are. The use of music can also be employed to indicate to the viewer the emotions and thoughts they should be experiencing. An example of this occurring within the documentary is in the opening scenes. The music begins quite slow and somber. This is used to reinforce close up shots of the children's emotionless faces, bringing sympathetic views to the minds of the audience. This scene then changes to one of the children playing in the streets and the music becomes more up-tempo and joyous. By doing this the directors have set the scene for the documentary, showing to the audience that while the situation in India is serious and not at all to be taken easily, there is still childhood joy and quite possibly hope for the children.
One lighting technique that was commonly used throughout Born into Brothels', was the use of a red filter that appears over the screen. *SHOW OPENING SCENE* As you can see there is a red filter over the lens, this also occurs in many other scenes where the camera is speeding through the streets of the district. The red filter is not only used to draw in viewers, by letting them know something bad is goi, it also
Written codes are an essential part of Briski and Kauffman's documentary as they allow for interpretation of the characters speech. It also provides a conclusion for the documentary as each child is shown on screen with their outcome written beneath them letting viewers know if they stayed at school or not.
Selection of detail also contributes greatly to the overall outcome of the documentary. When making a documentary, creators carefully select the material they intend to include and intentionally omit other information. The creators of Born into Brothels' frequently added in scenes to make the children look innocent, they were never presented as violent any arguments between the children were played down to what seemed to be cute little kid arguments yet one has to question that in these particular conditions wouldn't the children have a more violent side. This occurs so the viewer is always able to be positioned into accepting values and attitudes presented by the children. An example of the directors adding in segments so the viewer is able to be positioned by the child is when Avijit is talking about his dreams on the way to the airport to go overseas to a photography skills exhibition.
The point of view of the documentary is also constructed through its narrative structure. The documentary is created around the central problem of getting the children into school. The use of a localizer helps engage the viewer and can even be used to position viewers into believing ideas presented in the documentary. The localizers in Born into Brothels' is not just the children but also the presenter Zana Briski. She carries the film as well as getting up close and personal to the children, she is the reason the children are able to photograph their surroundings allowing viewers to see them from the children's point of view. She is the one who tries endlessly to get the children into boarding schools in order to stop the cycle of poverty.
The subject matter for Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman's documentary was complex, it was one that did not lack interest. Many of the directors values and attitudes are presented to the viewers through out the documentary as they re-created their version of reality.
Some that were evident through out Born into Brothels' were the fact that money is not a big determinant of happiness. The children have to work instead of playing, and money is spent on making ends meet. In a western word money is the center of many children's lives with the latest play stations and computer games to keep them occupied and happy.
Children in India cannot afford these luxuries, but are still seen smiling and playing.
The documentary Born into Brothels' doesn't use fancy words, nor does it use high tech camera equipment, it doesn't even employ the use of a presenter in formal wear. Aside from these facts it is highly informative. Not only does it bring to light the fact that poverty is experienced in the seemingly prosperous India, it also presents to viewers, a different form of poverty. Unlike those in third world countries, the people in India live in apartment style buildings wear somewhat similar clothing to those in the Western
World, yet still they experience poverty. The documentary explores the similarities and differences between the poverty that is experienced in India to that which would be experienced in a place live Ethiopia. Like those in third world countries, the lower class of India does not have running water and the children are required to provide basic meals for the family. By showing the children's art to western audiences it may also serve to make people more aware of the potential talent of millions of other third world children who struggle for daily existence. It may even persuade others to take action in combating poverty around the world.
Even with all the information provided by the documentary it still proves to be highly enjoyable. This is because it gets so up close and personal with the children who are truly delightful. I was expecting a documentary about the poverty in India, instead the viewers almost get a feature film with an introduction, a conflict and a resolution. Instead of making a social comment about poverty I felt that Born into Brothels' used the eight children to tell a story, instead of using them to represent a number of Indian children and families. A more positive aspect of the documentary was the emotion it was able to draw out in the viewers. The main subjects being children really captures the viewers hearts, their innocence finds beauty in the ugly environment they are surrounded by. Watching the documentary Born into Brothels' breaks many hearts that eight such lively children live in such horrid conditions.
It leaves viewers with a mixture of emotions.
Hopefulness and hopelessness; amazement and shock at human nature; sadness at the overwhelming poverty, filth and indifference of a society that lets a community like this exist and yet tremendous happiness at the children's joy in living their lives with innocent play and indestructible ambition. The kitchen fire scene is one scene that leaves viewers feeling a mixture of feelings such as those described. The scene where Zana Briski enquires about the kitchen fire is then juxtaposed with the images of the five girls and three boys laughing and playing happily or excitedly taking pictures with their cameras. This proves to be an ironic contrast and it brings to the attention of the viewers, exactly how the children live, showing the uncivilized environment they have to grow up in. This can be universally interpreted as a wake up call to many people around the world who are well off and do not know or care for those with no positive future to look forward to. It successfully brings into view the harsh reality of human inequality in society and the directors succeed in presenting this in a way to enlighten spirits and provide
hope.