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Last Online: 11:11 pm, April 26, 2007
Film Production Blog "calcuttahilton"
Calcutta Hilton on Link TV again
Jun 01, 2007 04:55AM
More screenings on Link TV, December 10 and 11.
www.linktv.org/programs/calcutta
More screenings
Mar 10, 2007 12:47PM
Calcutta Hilton will be back on Link TV (USA), March 26/27, 2007.
Click here for details.
The Women's International Film Festival, held in Miami, Florida from March 29 - April 1 will be screening Calcutta Hilton.
Visit www.wiffonline.org for more details.
DVD available from www.calcuttahilton.com
Click here for details.
The Women's International Film Festival, held in Miami, Florida from March 29 - April 1 will be screening Calcutta Hilton.
Visit www.wiffonline.org for more details.
DVD available from www.calcuttahilton.com
Heart of Gold Festival a big success!
Oct 31, 2006 12:37AM
I've just got back from the first ever Heart of Gold International Film Festival held in Gympie, Australia. It was a fantastic festival, showing a wide selection of films ranging from inspirational and uplifting, to just down-right amusing. The festival was well attended and everyone had a great time enjoying the wonderful films on show.
A good turnout of film directors and crew made it an even more enjoyable event with some coming from as far afield as New York. If you get the chance, check out this festival next year!
Calcutta Hilton was well received by festival attendees.
A good turnout of film directors and crew made it an even more enjoyable event with some coming from as far afield as New York. If you get the chance, check out this festival next year!
Calcutta Hilton was well received by festival attendees.
Calcutta Hilton on Link TV
Aug 15, 2006 04:12AM
Calcutta Hilton will be screening on Link TV in the US mid October 2006.
Click here for screening times.
Click here for screening times.
Calcutta Hilton selected for Heart of Gold Film Festival
Jul 29, 2006 04:56AM
The Heart of Gold Film Festival is a new festival in the Cooloola Shire of Queensland, Australia. It aims to show films that feed us with their thought-provoking, uplifting or simply funny take on life.
It runs from 26-29 October, 2006. Calcutta Hilton will be there!
Off to Hawaii!
Jul 29, 2006 04:11AM
I'm all booked - I'll be at Girl Fest Hawaii in September to support the screening of Calcutta Hilton.
Calcutta Hilton accepted for GirlFest Hawaii!
Jun 20, 2006 01:47AM
Calcutta Hilton has just been accepted to screen at the GirlFest Hawaii Film Festival in September. The Festival runs from September 14-17. Calcutta Hilton will be screening at 6pm on Thursday, September 14.
I'm hoping I'll be able to attend, so if you're in Hawaii in September, maybe I'll see you there!
Visit the GirlFest website
I'm hoping I'll be able to attend, so if you're in Hawaii in September, maybe I'll see you there!
Visit the GirlFest website
A life changing story...
Jun 14, 2006 06:33AM
For the last couple of years, I've been passionately engrossed in my documentary, Calcutta Hilton, about a New Zealand family (the Hiltons) who work with sex workers in Calcutta, India. It's an inspiring story of freedom and empowerment that has changed the lives of many women.
Sex workers in India are outcasts with very few options in life. Once they're in the trade there is very little chance they'll ever be able to leave. The Hiltons have set up a business called Freeset with the aim of providing sex workers an option no one else will give them - the chance to leave the sex trade. Freeset manufactures jute bags that are exported all over the world and now employs over 70 women, providing them with an income that brings with it freedom and dignity, rather than shame.
Initially I was intrigued by Freeset and it seemed like a great story to tell, but this is a story that has changed my life! The women who work at Freeset are amazing and have inspired me so much! They were kind enough to invite me into their community and through that I've become great friends with them and the Hilton family.
The documentary, "Calcutta Hilton", has played on Network TV in NZ and will be broadcast in the US by Link TV at some date in the future.
To find out more about Calcutta Hilton, visit the official website:
www.calcuttahilton.com
Calcutta Hilton is available for television broadcast, film festivals and is now available for purchase on DVD.
View the trailer
Get this video and more at MySpace.com
View a scene clip from Calcutta Hilton
Get this video and more at MySpace.com
Sex workers in India are outcasts with very few options in life. Once they're in the trade there is very little chance they'll ever be able to leave. The Hiltons have set up a business called Freeset with the aim of providing sex workers an option no one else will give them - the chance to leave the sex trade. Freeset manufactures jute bags that are exported all over the world and now employs over 70 women, providing them with an income that brings with it freedom and dignity, rather than shame.
Initially I was intrigued by Freeset and it seemed like a great story to tell, but this is a story that has changed my life! The women who work at Freeset are amazing and have inspired me so much! They were kind enough to invite me into their community and through that I've become great friends with them and the Hilton family.
The documentary, "Calcutta Hilton", has played on Network TV in NZ and will be broadcast in the US by Link TV at some date in the future.
To find out more about Calcutta Hilton, visit the official website:
www.calcuttahilton.com
Calcutta Hilton is available for television broadcast, film festivals and is now available for purchase on DVD.
View the trailer
Get this video and more at MySpace.com
View a scene clip from Calcutta Hilton
Get this video and more at MySpace.com
Film Maker's Blog
Background article published May 2006
Jun 16, 2006 07:23PM
Ten years ago John Sinclair was studying Television in Christchurch. In his final year he spent six months as an intern in CRC’s video department and today he is an experienced editor and producer with TV3 (NZ).
One of the highlights of John’s career is a documentary recorded in India and shown nationwide on TV2 last November.
“Calcutta Hilton” tells the story of New Zealand couple Kerry and Annie Hilton in Calcutta.
Kerry Hilton
“I first met Kerry Hilton when he spoke at an Easter Camp near Christchurch a few years ago,” says John.
“We got chatting about the business he had set up in Calcutta, employing women who'd been in the sex trade. The business, called Freeset, was designed to give them a way out - a path to freedom if you will. I thought it was a fascinating story that I'd like to tell.”
John had never made a documentary before and after several years in the TV industry he was looking for new challenges. He had been to India in his late teens and loved it, so
the idea of going back was very appealing too.
Nothing came of the initial conversation, but a couple of years later John resurrected the idea and made contact with Kerry again. When it became clear they were both still keen on the idea, they started serious work on the documentary.
“One of the things that really interested me about telling the story of Freeset was that it is a story of hope,” says John. “It's easy to tell stories about what an awful place this world is and all the bad things people do to each other. The problem with this is that it leaves people feeling helpless, with the ‘this is awful, but what can I really do about it?’ feeling.”
John discovered that a project such as Freeset is a beacon of light in a sad and terrible place like Sonagacchi (Calcutta's largest sex district). It is a story that inspires and leaves a way open for the audience to participate - they can buy the Freeset bags.
For further information about the project go to
www.calcuttahilton.com
www.freesetbags.com
One of the highlights of John’s career is a documentary recorded in India and shown nationwide on TV2 last November.
“Calcutta Hilton” tells the story of New Zealand couple Kerry and Annie Hilton in Calcutta.
Kerry Hilton
“I first met Kerry Hilton when he spoke at an Easter Camp near Christchurch a few years ago,” says John.
“We got chatting about the business he had set up in Calcutta, employing women who'd been in the sex trade. The business, called Freeset, was designed to give them a way out - a path to freedom if you will. I thought it was a fascinating story that I'd like to tell.”
John had never made a documentary before and after several years in the TV industry he was looking for new challenges. He had been to India in his late teens and loved it, so
the idea of going back was very appealing too.
Nothing came of the initial conversation, but a couple of years later John resurrected the idea and made contact with Kerry again. When it became clear they were both still keen on the idea, they started serious work on the documentary.
“One of the things that really interested me about telling the story of Freeset was that it is a story of hope,” says John. “It's easy to tell stories about what an awful place this world is and all the bad things people do to each other. The problem with this is that it leaves people feeling helpless, with the ‘this is awful, but what can I really do about it?’ feeling.”
John discovered that a project such as Freeset is a beacon of light in a sad and terrible place like Sonagacchi (Calcutta's largest sex district). It is a story that inspires and leaves a way open for the audience to participate - they can buy the Freeset bags.
For further information about the project go to
www.calcuttahilton.com
www.freesetbags.com
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Blue_Mango_Films
Friend Since: June 19, 2006
Last Online: 11:11 pm, April 26, 2007
2 Comments about sinclairtv
Jun 22, 2006 04:02AM
It's the hope that attracted me to the story. I love India. I think it is a fantastic country and it sure has it's fair share of problems, but dwelling on the negative doesn't make the world a better place. I guess I hope that Calcutta Hilton helps people to feel empowered, that sure bad stuff is going on in the world but there are things we can do to make a difference. We aren't completely powerless.
Jun 21, 2006 12:36AM
As an Indian, I am really glad that your film showcases the brighter side of sad story...one that is filled with hope. Cheers!
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