Pretty Baby - 1978 - Starring Brooke Shields - ... Site

Released in April 1978, Pretty Baby is a historical drama directed by Louis Malle

remains one of the most polarizing entries in American cinema history. Set in 1917 Storyville, the legendary red-light district of New Orleans, the film tells the story of Violet, a 12-year-old girl raised in a brothel who eventually becomes a working girl herself. While its subject matter sparked immediate cries of "child pornography," critics like Roger Ebert defended it as a compassionate evocation of a sad chapter in Americana. A Cast Caught Between Two Worlds Pretty Baby - 1978 - Starring Brooke Shields - ...

red-light district of New Orleans and focuses on the lives of prostitutes and their children. Production and Plot Summary : The story follows Released in April 1978, Pretty Baby is a

: A photographer fascinated by the brothel's denizens who eventually enters a complicated relationship with Violet. A Cast Caught Between Two Worlds red-light district

As the authorities move to shut down Storyville, the frantic energy of the district reaches a fever pitch. Violet is caught in a tug-of-war between the only home she knows—the chaotic, glittering house of ill-repute—and the silent, still world of Bellocq’s studio.

Brooke Shields' performance in "Pretty Baby" marked her film debut and catapulted her to international fame. Her portrayal of Violet earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best New Star of the Year. Shields' involvement in the film has been the subject of much debate over the years, with some critics questioning the ethics of casting a pre-teen girl in a role that involved nudity and mature themes.

Pretty Baby remains a visually detailed period piece that continues to prompt discussions about the intersections of art, history, and the protection of children in the media.