Directed by Lucy Walker, João Jardim and Karen Harley , the film shows how Muniz’s initial intention, to paint the catadores — garbage pickers — gradually changes as he interacts with them and finds the quiet dignity in what they do and who they are.
Instead, he chooses to collaborate with them as they recreate images of themselves out of garbage. The roundness of all the characters in the documentary, especially the artist’s, is one of the strongest aspects of the film. It is also the most identifiable.
“Everyone is transformed at the end of this film as art is transformative, and hopefully, this film being art itself will change its viewers too,” commented Helena Jornada, the third secretary at the Embassy of Brazil.
However the transformative power of art is not only celebrated aesthetically but is shown at a more visceral and almost tangible level: how art can transform lives. Muniz’s promise to give the proceeds from his work to the catadores brings the impoverished a very real opportunity for change and poverty alleviation. At the same time, the catadores commitment to their profession despite a sudden inflow of money gives the film resounding dignity.
Muniz’s involvement reinstates pride in the catadores — Tiao, Zumbi, Suelem, Isis, Urma, Magna and Valtar — as they learn that even though society has shunned them, their work has gained recognition and support through Muniz’s works. Tiao, a political-minded young catadore, started up the Association of Recycling Pickers of Jardim Gramacho to which auction proceeds totalling US$300,000 was donated.
“As a Brazilian, this movie is very close to my heart. We as a people are dreamers and this movie shows the hopes, dreams and resilience of our people,” commented Brazilian Embassy Second Secretary Gustav Meira Carneiro.
The ability to dream amidst waste is literally at the centre of this movie. Ironically, the strong and complex characters of the catadores coupled with the spirit of dreaming un-relentlessly gives the film an almost contrived effect. However, the characters and the situation are very real, with their pain, suffering and joy establishing the viewer’s emotional investment in the film.
The film received the audience award for best international documentary at the Sundance Film Festival, awards from Amnesty International, the Public in the Panorama Award at the Berlin International Film Festival and an Academy Award nomination for best feature documentary.
With so many awards under its belt, Waste Land is a truly unique and extraordinary documentary film that the Brazilian documentary festival has brought to Pakistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 16th, 2012.
COMMENTS (1)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1713803424-1/Black-hole-(1)1713803424-1-270x192.webp)
great piece!