John McDowell (composer, keyboardist, percussionist) has recorded the soundtrack for the film Born Into Brothels. This documentary is a story about children of prostitutes in Calcutta, India and the kids' experiences using cameras to express themselves in an attempt to create another type of life.

For Born Into Brothels he joined forces with music producer Daniel Baruch and sound editor Tom Paul, conjuring up an aural landscape created out the predominantly acoustic playing of musicians from many cultures, often working with them in a collaborative process. Bass whisperings of Krishna Das and soaring melodic ragas of Steve Gorn's bamboo flute were skillfully combined with Indian strings, Renaissance serpent, an Armenian duduk as well as a full range of world percussion instruments.

On January 24. 2004, the film was honored with the Audience Award for Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival.