Whores' Glory

A visually heady documentary triptych that looks at three forms of world prostitution: three continents, three languages, three cultures. Brothels in Bangkok primarily serve local managers and wealthier tourists. Girls come and go in the glass booths, waiting to be selected by a guest. Bordellos in Faridpur, Bangladesh, are spread throughout the area. Hundreds of local prostitutes were born there, and they never see the outside world their entire lives. And later, when they grow up, they introduce their daughters to the world’s oldest profession without the slightest hesitation. The town of Reynosa, Mexico, is situated near the Texas border. It is rife with thieves, pimps, and the drug mafia, and the local girls reflect the misery of the place. The radiance of their youthful beauty long ago lost its sheen, leaving behind an exterior they struggle to maintain. All of the women here have endured more than we can imagine, both mentally and physically. A life without the pretense and artificiality they are paid for is unknown to them. (Karlovy Vary International Film Festival)