Movie Review: Waste Land

Alternate Title: Art Saves Lives

Story: Who would think that a documentary about the poorest of the poor living amongst Rio de Janeiro's mountains of garbage would end up being inspiring, uplifting and entertaining? Internationally renowned Brazilian born artist Vic Muniz leaves his comfortable home in Brooklyn to journey to the world's largest garbage dump, Jardim Gramacho, located on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. He hopes to create a project about the 'catadores' (the self-designated pickers of recyclable materials) and perhaps change lives. His goal is to produce art that sells - the proceeds of which would go back to the pickers.

Through Muniz' journey we meet a handful of these pickers. We hear their stories, learn about their lives and fall in love with them all. That experience alone is great art. Muniz decides to enlarge these picker's lives by creating giant art - out of garbage. He recreates photographically, classic paintings, enlarges the images, and has the pickers assist in creating giant works of art about themselves.

Beautifully directed by Lucy Walker ((http://www.wastelandmovie.com/index.html) this film will inspire you and make you smile. Kudos. Check out Vic Muniz's website here:http://www.vikmuniz.net/

Watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWPU5WNgQ2w