Waste Land by Lucy Walker

Brazilian artist Vik Muniz is a photographer whose work is mainly composed of food and waste reconstructions. Himself a product of the poverty-stricken Brazilian working class, he is now the subject of the most surprising documentary I’ve seen yet in competition at this year’s ADFF.

British director Lucy Walker’s Waste Land (Lixo Extraordinário) is the account of a different kind of art project based in Jardim Gramacho, the largest garbage landfill in the world. The place is populated by thousands of “Catadores”: workers whose main occupation consists of picking and collecting waste out of the dump for recycling. These people’s contribution, without which Rio de Janeiro would be facing a serious trash disposal crisis, has earned them no privileges, being seen instead as waste themselves by a prejudiced Brazilian society.

As the film catalogues the impressive real change to the lives of the participants, a small, beautiful and inspiring group of “Catadores”, you can’t help but feel a sincere and emotional connection with the characters and rejoice at their new-found confidence.

Lucy Walker’s direction is spot-on, mastering the art of documentary filmmaking while resisting the temptation to be exploitative and manipulative. This unforgettable and delightful experience is not to be missed by all those hungry for some genuine honesty on film.

By Fernando Vasquez