Waste Land Perspective

I watched the documentary Waste Land last night.
Half watching, half surfing the internet and doing laundry, but probably a third into the movie I dropped everything and just watched.

Perspective.

Waste Land Trailer. 2010.

The documentary follows a couple different people that work picking out recyclable material in the largest landfill in the world outside of Rio, Brazil. They were each beautiful, good-natured and geniune. Though the work is physically demanding and others may shun such a job because they are digging through garbage and get on the bus smelling like garbage, they all talked about dignity. An artist recruits some of them to create portraits of themselves using the materials they collect each day. Images of the creations are auctioned and shown in museums and the money goes back to the people.

One woman with beautiful skin talked about a recent breakup. She teared up. My heart moved with her. The interviewer made a comment about well, you make good money. She said US$20-25 a day. Sephora.com was open on my browser and I'm pretty sure a large chunk of the products on that site cost more than she makes in a day. A bottle of perfume that costs 4 days wages? Yikes. Money can't buy her beauty.

Each individual ended up working at the landfill for various reasons. During the movie you can see the people transform. A sense of empowerment. Realizing, despite what discouragement they received in the past, they can do something great. Art has that kind power. 

http://www.wastelandmovie.com/