Waste Land
Waste Land
| 24 January 2010 (USA)
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An uplifting feature documentary highlighting the transformative power of art and the beauty of the human spirit. Top-selling contemporary artist Vik Muniz takes us on an emotional journey from Jardim Gramacho, the world's largest landfill on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, to the heights of international art stardom. Vik collaborates with the brilliant catadores, pickers of recyclable materials, true Shakespearean characters who live and work in the garbage quoting Machiavelli and showing us how to recycle ourselves.

Reviews
CheerupSilver

Very Cool!!!

PlatinumRead

Just so...so bad

Contentar

Best movie of this year hands down!

ActuallyGlimmer

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

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evening1

I learned so much about myself by watching this film about garbage! My favorite movies are those that refocus the way I see life. And I didn't expect to find that here.Following are some quotes I found personally meaningful. I hope to store them away like treasures picked from Jardim Gramacho. Vik: "The moment one thing turns into another is a beautiful moment. The moment is really magical." When a realization becomes an insight.Taio: "I never imagined I'd become a work of art." (Nor I.) Mom who lost her 3-year-old son: "I don't forget a detail. A single detail!" I identify with this."They get to another reality and that changes their way of thinking." My work as a therapist."This is what this job brought for me -- the will to change." A vision for my patients."You can dislike something because you've never tried it." When others don't choose or accept you."The moment you want something, you have meaning." The pain of searching...transformed! Vik: "When I was poor I only wanted material things." My lack of materialism comes from somewhere good! Vik: "I knew I could do the work. I did not expect to be as involved with the people as I was." Networking! "He helped everyone make good decisions." My goal as a therapist.Inspiring artist, awe-inspiring film.

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bshljtbaruah80

Waste Land is a true classic depicting inner humane values radiating through art forms of exuberance. Vik Muniz's extraordinary artistic zeal spiced with humanity in collaboration with those true aspirations of the characters that the former portrait gives the entire plot a genuinely vibrant touch. It ignites the recycling power of our inner self as it makes us feel the universal human appeal more deeply then ever. It allows us to peep through the vibrant colorful membrane of civilization straight into the lives of those standing at the 'fundamental sphere' of d civilization super structure, coping up with life with whatever means they are provided with....living rather in their own happy times sans any involvement in petty vices of so called "modern civilized society". But still they are human...they have been unable to acquire the taste of life in fullest terms but they still possess that zeal to improvise their life style, at least into another level. Vik Muniz just provided them that platform,standing on which they can at least level up themselves with the other lot of the society. Simply a Masterpiece!!!

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Chrysanthepop

I had only heard little about 'Waste Land' and didn't know what to expect other than be introduced to some artworks by Vik Muniz. Also the concept of making art from garbage and involving the garbage pickers who work at the dumpsite got me curious. What I got from this film in the end was far more than what I expected. The camera follows Muniz to the world's largest waste land in Rio de Janeiro. One by one the viewer is introduced to some of the people who work there while Muniz proposes his project to them. The people, who are considered by many, to be of the lowest of classes, are portrayed beautifully as high spirited people, in this film. Just like any other common working human being, the pickers work hard to provide for their families and many of them are quite proud of what they do . There is also a wonderful sense of unity. What Muniz offers them is to be a part of something big, to dream again. It's a sight to behold, when the workers' faces light up as they realize they are becoming/ have become a part of something unique, beautiful and important. These are three adjectives that I'd additionally use to describe this inspiring, insightful and unique gem.

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jm@downtownreel.com

This film is a remarkable surprise! A clever, concerned, screen-grab of homeless lives that gives an ounce hope where one would least expect it. Internationally acclaimed artist, Vik Muniz, is our guide on a journey through garbage, guts, and glamor. With a smile on his face that belies many of the bleak images he shares, he outlines what is, perhaps, an early chapter in the "ecological medical journal" that must be written to save our planet. The characters in Waste Land by far overwhelm this 'preachy' review, and are 1,000 times warmer, to boot -- go see it before it's gone -- to NETFLIX -- As proceeds from your ticket save lives!

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