Whores' Glory (2011)


A profound insight into the world's oldest profession that reveals vast differences in attitude to sex, money, power and religion in three different countries.

'Why do women have to suffer this much?' In Whores' Glory, Michael Glawogger adds sex into the mix of labour and power that he investigated in Working Man's Death, by interviewing prostitutes in three countries. The Fish Tank in Bangkok is colourful and vibrant. Young women sit behind a huge glass panel until picked by wealthy clients and called by number. Although many are practicing Buddhists, there is no shame in their chosen profession. They chat about the latest designer handbags, boring home lives and future plans when they leave this particular employment. City of Joy in Bangladesh is very different. Scared girls are sold into a grim future in slum brothels. Despite having no other options, they carry a religious guilt, and speak with enormous sadness about being at the mercy of avaricious madams and rough clients. Anything is possible in The Zone outside Reynosa, Mexico. Still devoutly Catholic, career prostitutes speak frankly about enjoying the sex and valuing the independence it has given them. Other women are clearly more damaged by the experience. Their clients talk of going to these women for services not provided by their wives, of whom they have tired. Never exploitative, Whores' Glory provides a profound insight into the world's oldest profession.

From the outside these lives look harsh and this is an experience that aims to draw us in — to share both in the joy, hardship and glory — resulting in one of the year’s best films...