Born Into Brothels

1) Why did the filmmaker give the children cameras?
The filmmaker gave the children cameras so they could see the world in their eyes.
2) What role did art play in Avijit's life?
Art was a big part of Avijit's life because it expresses what is on his mind by putting his thoughts into colour.
3) How does the project benefit from meeting regularly and discussing their pictures?
The project benefits from meeting regularly and discussing their pictures because if they get together they have a place to express their thoughts and develop their own opinions. Also its a close minded community so they wont get judged.
4) Do you think photography helped the children deal with their situation?
I think photography helped the children deal with their situation because they never had anything good in their life before, it was the same thing every single day; but now that they have a camera they have so much more to look forward to. Each day they can go out and take a picture of a different thing and remember a memory that went a long with it. Also some of them found a talent or something they enjoy doing so that they could go to school for photography or art. I think photography made the children's lives happier.

Part A
1) What did Zana describe as the reason for giving the cameras to the children in the beginning of the documentary, i.e: why didn't she just take the photographs herself?
I think that Zana described the reason for giving the cameras to the children and not taking them herself because she wanted to let the children have an opportunity to see the world in their eyes and let them have their own opinion and perspective on things.
2) Why is the photographer's point of view or unique voice part of what we consider when we talk about pictures? Can't we simply judge all the pictures by the same criteria of good and bad regardless of who took them?
I think that all pictures are unique in their own way no matter who took them. Every picture has it's own style. They are all different but also the same because all pictures have a memory for no matter who took them but they are all different because they each have a different meaning of memory. In my opinion I think that we can judge all the pictures by the same criteria of good or bad regardless of who took them. Some people have a talent for taking pictures and some don't but regardless every ones pictures are good to them because they mean something.
3) Reflect on what Avijit first says about painting: "I like to draw because I want to express what's on my mind...I want to put my thoughts into colours." What does this tell us about him?
Avijit seems like a very unique and creative child. Avijit has a great personality because he wants people to see how he feels inside and what he can do. He enjoys expressing how he feels and what is on his mind. He wants to make his life seem better then just being in the Brothels so he uses art like painting and drawing as an escape from the bad memories of the Brothels.
4) Throughout this lesson, the term 'personal expresson' is used to refer to art, sports, writing, and other activities. How would you define personal expression? How are photography, painting and writing forms of personal expression?
I would say that personal expression has many forms to it, it just depends on what way you like to express yourself. Everyone has a personal expression of some sort. A personal expression to me is just expressing yourself in a unique way due to what you enjoy doing. If you like to paint or draw you would express yourself in that way and paint/draw what is on your mind. Even photography is a form of personal expression because you could take pictures of something that means something to you or something that you love/like doing.
5) How can art (personal expression) serve as a means of educating others about a particular issue?
Art or a personal expression can serve as a means of educating others about a particular issue because anyone can write, take pictures, paint or even draw whatever they would like and express themselves but then it is also a way to share it with others. If you share something that means something to you it is also educating other people about yourself or what you enjoy. You could also write, draw, take pictures of or paint about an issue going on in your life or the world and by doing that you can educate others about it too.

Part B: Critique
 

i)

I think this picture is beautiful because it has a good contrast and it is very colourful. I also this this picture is unique because of the horse. The horse shows kind of what their culture is like with how it is dressed in head wear and has a necklace on it, I think it is very different. This picture caught my attention because of that.

 

I like this picture because it shows to me that even though being in the Brothels is depressing and horrifying there is still a beautiful and upside to it because of the bright sky and the unique trees; also this photo is very clear and has a unique texture to it.

ii) 

This picture seems unique and different to me. I find it sort of upsetting because there is this poor innocent boy living in this pitiful, brutal community. I find it very unfair because he did nothing to deserve this, he is only living like this because it is within his family. I think this photo should educate everyone and show people how bad life is and that they are very lucky for what they have. Seeing this really made me feel thankful for what I have because the life that these little children are living is not fair to them.
 

I think this picture conveys a very strong message because to me is shows that they really have nothing. These young children and even their parents are living in poverty in a harmful community. All of these people have a box for a house and a couple old raggy blankets and maybe one pillow if they are lucky. They don't have a nice cosy home with a warm bed to come home to, unfortunately they have nothing to come home to. The message I think this picture is portraying is saying that you should be thankful for everything you have. I think living like this is a big issue world wide because there are places like this all over the world.

 

iii)

 

I don't think a picture needs to be beautiful to be effective. I think that any picture can be effective in their own way because all pictures are different and they all have their own meaning so they are effective in different ways to different people. Any picture could be effective if the picture hits your heart and makes you feel good inside or it could make you feel bad but still be effective. It doesn't matter if the picture is beautiful or not.