Waste Land

I’ve just returned from Wild & Scenic, a 3 day environmental film festival and the largest of its kind. One of my favorite films was Waste Land, the winner of Best of Festival. Filmed over nearly three years, Waste Land follows artist Vik Muniz as he journeys from his home base in Brooklyn to his native Brazil and the world’s largest garbage dump, Jardim Gramacho, located on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. There he photographs 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. If you have a chance to watch it, please do. It will move and inspire you!

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13 Comments

  1. erica wrote:

    All I can say is, WOW!

    1.17.11
    Reply
  2. Shayna Proctor wrote:

    I would love to see this.

    1.17.11
    Reply
  3. Jamie wrote:

    so amazing! thanks for sharing!

    1.17.11
    Reply
  4. Oriogirl wrote:

    this is just amazing! thanks for sharing this.

    1.18.11
    Reply
  5. Danielli wrote:

    Lindo…! Sou do Brasil e Vik Muniz é de uma genialidade ímpar!!!

    1.21.11
    Reply
  6. Mia wrote:

    This is beautifully eye-opening. It reminds me of the short film “Ilha das Flores” which follows a family’s waste from their home to one of the largest dumps in Brazil. Thanks for this post!

    1.27.11
    Reply
  7. romina wrote:

    thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanks!

    2.21.11
    Reply
  8. luciana* wrote:

    i admire the muniz’s works but unfortunately in brazil many people thinks the his work poor. “/

    2.28.11
    Reply
  9. Sarr wrote:

    Wow, this is powerful!

    11.19.11
    Reply
  10. These are truly amazing and inspiring! I’ll definitely share them with my co-workers. Do you know if there are pictures of them available for download? I want to print them and hang them on our kitchen wall

    9.23.15
    Reply