MovieChat Forums > Born Into Brothels: Calcutta's Red Light Kids (2005) Discussion > 'Democracy needed' and 'Scripted Kids'

'Democracy needed' and 'Scripted Kids'

posted 17 years ago by teamdoug2002
7 replies | jump to latest

I loved this documentary. However, I think those kids were coerced into speaking the way they did. Their speech patterns and choice of words (translator alterations excluded) did not fit the age group of 10 year old americans let alone 10 year olds from the Red light District of Calcutta. They are barely educated at the time of this movie yet they philosophically discuss their dire futures with adult like ease and study. The director and producer clearly told these children what to say for the sake of the documentary. Only good came of it so I don't mind it. Thisi s my opinion but look at their faces when they speak. It is totally scripted.
Other than that the movie touched my heart and showed me another dismal place in the world that should not exist. I hate War and george Bush but I found my self saying "if only they had a true democracy" maybe things would be better. Maybe, just maybe, spreading democracy at all cost is needed. then I remember the lives that are lost during war and i am once again torn. you got anything to add?

LAST MOVIE seen: "Born Into Brothels" Rated by me:8
why did i see it? saw flags of our fathers

[–] n-amritha 17 years ago

not only is your post silly but dangerous too. If i have understood right, u want to carpet bomb anywhere you think any sort of injustice (your brand that is) occurs. This takes place in india, and india is a democracy. yes we do have evils, like any other country on earth. Assuming you are an american. with all your power and will to spread "democracy" dont you also have prostitutes and dont they have children?? violent crime is a way of life there. I am not criticising any one or any country, but as the bible says - first remove the log in your eye before you remove the speck of dirt in anothers. (or something like that)

it is people like you who make this world dangerous, war is not an option. and please get to know more about a country before you term it a democracy or not...

[–] Lucifer_nib_666 17 years ago

America bomb India?? Apparently hilarity has no boundaries, neither does ignorance mind you. Not only is it impossible for the US from a political or a Bussiness standpoint, But if we ignore that bombing one of the most well trained armed forces in the world along with one of the biggest would be suicide considering America has enough to deal with at the moment.

Against Stupidity the gods themselves battle in vain

[–] rdramon 17 years ago

I have no idea how the OP made the connection between poor kids living in brothels in Calcutta and George Bush and the war in Iraq.
I hope he/she is not that ignorant to believe that all brown skinned people are from the middle east or their country isnt a democracy.
India has been a fully functional democracy since 60 years.
Poverty has been a problem but its not as if progress is not being made.
There are a lot of NGOs,social workers and even the government to an extent working to solve the problem.
It's just that the problem is so vast,with a population of a billion and the country was in such a bad shape right after Independence that it would take some time to solve it.
India is making progress,perhaps more than any developing country in the recent past with a growth rate of 9 % every year and in a couple of decades,its all set to become a developed country.

[–] liven1812 16 years ago

This post makes the most sense of those in this thread. The problem here is not aggressive murder hungry warlords, terrorists, rogue governments or something else along these lines. The problem here is that there is great poverty in India still. Given the entire environment in that area of the world, it is very hard to have 1 billion people all living satisfactory lives. It wasn't until 20 or 30 years ago in the U.S. that people, even our poor, had luxaries often not found in other countries. This will be realized by other countries, it is only a matter of effort, time and hope.

[–] BorisKarpov 10 years ago

yeah justz shove up a whole lot of democracy up their arses, ez, you americans are strange sometimes.

[–] Prismark10 8 years ago

I have no idea what the OP is on about. India has been the world's largest democracy for decades.

It's that man again!!

[–] myc4971 8 years ago

Well, clearly you haven't been in a third world country. I grew up in the Philippines and a lot of children who have been living in or below the poverty line are forced to grow up beyond their years. They have amazing awareness even at 8 or 9. And a lot of them speak in flowery/melodramatic language too! You can blame what they watch on TVs. In the Philippines, I'm shocked that even 5 year olds watching (and enjoying it) telenovelas that tackles murder, revenge, adultery, etc. And India has its Bollywood so there's that.

And I don't think they were coached because if you've been paying attention beyond what they were saying, it shows in the way they act and carry themselves. In Avijit's eyes, you can see that longing for a better life as he draws. You can see his passion to excel as he takes photos (wonderful photos BTW).

Lastly, democracy is not a magic wand that makes things better. Just because it's working for the US (even this point is debatable) means it will work for the rest of the world. It's not the form of government that will uplift the lives of people in poverty. It's compassion and political will (yes, regardless of what form of government the country has).