Waste Land
Lucy Walker
(UK / Brazil, 2010, 99 min)
Renowned artist Vik Muniz journeys Rio de Janeiro to photograph the world’s largest garbage dump. There he captures an eclectic band of “catadores,” self-designated pickers of recyclable materials. Muniz’s initial objective was to “paint” the catadores with garbage. However, his collaboration with these inspiring characters as they recreate photographic images of themselves out of garbage reveals both the dignity and despair of the catadores as they begin to re-imagine their lives. Audience Award for Best World Cinema Documentary, Sundance FF; Amnesty Intl’ Human Rights Film Award, Berlin FF
