Waste Land

I think EVERYONE should see this film. It struck me that these people working in this landfill were considered the lowest in social status, in terms of what they do to make a living, yet without them, there would have been no more room for the garbage from those of the classes above them. Hence, all of the city would have become one large dump.. And just where would have that "upper class" group been forced to move? But even more, by performing their jobs, in order to support themselves and their families, they were doing a very environmentally conscious thing, even if they weren't aware of it. I was especially moved by the camaraderie between the workers, and the pride they took in being able to support themselves being pickers instead of prostitutes and drug dealers. I know this was just a look at one small group of them, but it left me with a feeling of hope for them. I think it is a great thing that Vic Muniz donated the profits to help fund cultural issues in their "Homeland." I think it was great that most of those people filmed did something different with their lives, but even the ones that didn't, got the chance to try it, even if it didn't last. I did agree with some of the producers that it was a very scary thing to just give them a taste of what life could be like, but I also agreed with Mr. Muniz that sometimes it could also make them actually want more enough, to make some changes in their lives. I originally saw this film at our local art gallery, and I left there thinking of these people for days, and kept reminding myself how lucky I am to have such a good life----not having to worry how I am going to feed myself and family. I don't have to spend days and nights picking recyclables out of a garbage dump just to live. I think after this film was made they had a little more sense of pride. I think the whole construction of the portraits was absolutely fantastic, especially since the workers helped make them. I loved this film so much, I had to purchase it myself. Thank You, Sandie Terry-Morrison

Waste Land begins with Vic Muniz, a well-known artist, living in Brooklyn, New York, who decides to return to Brazil his birthplace, to do an art project that has social relevance. Art that will somehow help the people involved. Muniz's work mainly combines photography with other media. He has gained recognition worldwide. He decides to go to Rio de Janeiro to photograph "Catadores" who make their living picking recyclable materials out of the huge garbage dump/landfill known as Jardim Gramacho located on the outskirts of Rio. Muniz plans to take photographs of a number people, blow the pictures up, project them as templates and have the individuals participate in painting themselves with the recyclable materials or "garbage" as it's called in the publicity. Muniz then re-photographs these "portraits." His plan is to exhibit this work and sell prints with the proceeds going to the "Catadores."As much as Waste Land documents the process of creating the art it also, by default, explores the influence of both the artist's involvement with the subject and the act of making the documentary on the "pickers." As the story continues, questions regarding the motivation of the artists and their self-proclaimed altruistic goals, becomes apparent.Director Lucy Walker allows all the contradictions that surface in the telling of the Waste Land story. Muniz's possibly naïve, even self-serving notion that he can somehow use his art to invoke change in someway, is confronted by the social realities of the "pickers." The individuals interviewed and photographed are in some cases second generation. Many are illiterate. They form a caste at the very bottom of Rio's multi-tiered society. As the film progresses you meet and learn about six of the "pickers." JRMARTINMEDIA [more] [..]

This is a wonderful story, showing the best in humanity in the worst of circumstances.

I don't want to spoil the story but every American who thinks they're struggling and having a hard time with finances (and many are no doubt), should watch this. In fact, every American period, should watch it. Sometimes we are blind to how people in other parts of the world live, and the sacrifices they have to make just to get a bit of food and shelter and water every day. This is no "save the children" type movie where you see people starving in a desert or jungle. This is people on the fringes of a growing society (and growing wealth disparity, just as it's happened in every western country), letting you into their lives, showing you how incredibly lucky you and I are... and maybe getting us in touch with our humanity, our God (if you're religious), and our world a little bit more than before we watched. It's hard to forget once you see it.With the World Cup coming up in Brazil, I can't think of a better time for people to watch this and think about what it means to be a "global citizen". We hear all this lip-service from media about "global economy" and "global social media" and "connecting worldwide" to anyone we want... well if that's true, then my hope is the things you see in this movie won't be a reality anymore in 10 years. Do we have the courage of our convictions? I don't know. All I know is it can only help for us to see this movie and think about the big picture after we see it, and what we can do with all of our resources and technology (and hopefully humanity).

A gripping, hard-boiled, moody crime thriller. It has something for everyone: characters with depth (the women as well as the men), a fast pace, some stylish 'look' but also a classical noir atmosphere and themes. You can watch it for the psychology or for the action and plot, whichever you like. The acting overall is also very professional. It's criminal that this has not yet had a UK release AFAIK -- it's dying for a proper audience.

I did like this documentary type film as it follows the lives of people who literaly live off rubbish,. There are several instances where I had to cringe when I saw the lifestyle and workstyle of some of the people in the film. I am glad to say that there is a happy ending to what seems to be a lot of people being exploited. I did have a little chuckle when I saw that one of the girls in the film had not bought shampoo for years, she just used the unfinished ones that she found on the rubbish dump !!

I have a new hero: Vik Muniz. What a great man he is -- alongside all those good Brazilian folk who participated in this life-changing, perspective-altering experience. And the whole thing is so thought-provoking. I recommend it to everyone I know.

One of those documentaries that was not the easiest or most interesting to watch but was worth the effort. The art was just amazing and the impact the artist had on the lives of the rubbish pickers remarkable.

well worth it. So interesting for anyone not just contemporary art lovers