To Sir, With Love (1966): Runtime: 105 Minutes
Director: James Clavell
Cast: Sidney Poitier, Christian Roberts, Judy Geeson, Suzy Kendall, Ann Bell, Geoffrey Bayldon, Faith Brook.
Set in 1960s London, this film based on E.R. Braithwaite’s novel explores themes of vocation, teaching, and overcoming class and race barriers.
The story follows Mark Thackeray, a graduate engineer from British Guiana, who takes a temporary teaching position at a secondary school in London’s East End after struggling to find work. His students are troubled, many rejected from other schools, and their leaders, Bert Denham and Pamela Dare, engage in vandalism and pranks. Thackeray, initially met with resistance, changes his approach after losing his temper. He demands respect from his students, addressing them as adults, and promises to treat them with the same respect in return.
Thackeray introduces field trips to London’s museums and works to build mutual respect, though he faces setbacks. Students initially resent his insistence on discipline, such as when he forces a rowdy student, Potter, to apologize to the gym instructor. Tensions rise when they refuse to invite him to their dance, decline his donation for a wreath for a deceased student’s mother, and avoid visiting the home of Seales, a mixed-race student, fearing social criticism. The headmaster doubts Thackeray’s methods and cancels future activities. Despite the challenges, Thackeray stays committed to his students. He replaces the gym trainer but considers leaving when offered an engineering job. Pamela’s mother asks him to counsel Pamela, whose growing infatuation complicates matters. Denham, still antagonistic, challenges Thackeray to a boxing match. Thackeray wins with one punch, helps him up, earns Denham’s respect, and suggests he become the boxing coach. By the end, Thackeray earns the admiration of his students, who express their gratitude with a heartfelt parting gift signed “To Sir, with Love.” Thackeray is moved and begins to reconsider his career path.
Born Into Brothels: Calcutta’s Red Light Kids (2004) : Runtime: 85minutes.
Directors: Zana Briski, Ross Kauffman
Cast: Kochi, Avijit Halder, Shanti Das, Manik, Puja Mukerjee Gour, Suchitra, Tapasi, Mamuni
This is a documentary that focuses on the story of perhaps the most marginalized group of children in India. It takes viewers into the lives of children in Kolkata’s red-light district, Sonagachi, the heart of India’s sex trade. Directed by Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman, the film offers an intimate portrait of the children living in one of the most marginalized communities. It sheds light on the human side of a world that society often avoids—showing the potential, innocence, and talent that exist even in the darkest places.
The film grew from Briski’s initial visit to India in 1995, where she sought to study women’s issues such as child marriage, female infanticide, and dowry deaths. Her visit led her to Sonagachi, where she was overwhelmed by the life of sex workers and their children. Despite the community’s initial resistance, Briski persisted for months, gradually gaining access. She discovered that prostitution was a generational, forced tradition for women and girls, and although the males were not usually involved in the sex trade, the film avoids discussing explicit details.
Briski’s bond with the children deepened, and she taught them photography as a form of self-expression. The children embraced this new art form, capturing life around them with unique perspectives. This initiative turned into the Kids with Cameras project, and one of the children’s photos was exhibited in Amsterdam.
The documentary presents a hopeful message, showing the children’s talents and the possibility of a better life. Their photographs also helped them earn money, which supported their education. The film, praised for its sensitive and socially committed approach, received widespread acclaim and numerous awards, including an Oscar nomination in 2005.
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