Waste Land
The documentary Waste Land starring the world renowned Artist Vic Muniz, takes an in depth look at the compelling lives of workers at the world’s largest landfill, Jardim Gramacho. Within the film, aspects of the “catédores” or picker’s lives are examined, as we are introduced to their daily struggles from a limited perspective. Vic Muniz, alongside director Lucy Walker combine to convey a realist message about the difficulties faced when stricken with poverty and effectively viewing others beyond the physical appearance. The artwork beginning as Muniz’s actual purpose becomes a means of hope for the workers, and transforms their lives through this truly inspirational documentary. Beginning the 2001 film, the opening introduces …show more content…
I believe it’s realistically about finding beauty in a place void of hope, with many destitute people who find themselves bettered by this odd experience. More relatable with every coming scene, these workers become personable, the viewer begins to learn each journey as personal reference to each character. An interesting synopsis article of Waste Land reads “Muniz quickly befriends a number of catadores. We meet Irma, the cook who improvises everyone’s lunches out of scavenged food; Zumbi, the resident intellectual who has held onto every book he’s rummaged; and Valter who pontificates about poverty and recycling. This motley crew is headed up by their president, Tião Santos who formed the cooperative Association of Pickers of Jardim Gramacho that has been making everyone’s lives slightly better. Thanks to books found in the dump that has been his home since he was eleven, Tião reveals that he has read Machiavelli and identifies with that timeless story of power and leadership.” (ILLYWORDS,2010) Even with that small description of the characters, we are not viewing them as garbage, but as friends …show more content…
Over the Two year journey we begin to understand the exponential growth and maturation the pickers have experienced while associating with Vic Muniz in relation to the art. Understanding that life is mixed conceptually helps so that we better understand each aspect of this film as well; because it can be perceived in so many ways. Literal and symbolic implications of Muniz’s grooming is apparent; as each character was obviously improved from his guidance. Such as Tião Santos, in the documentary he gains fame from “The Pictures of Garbage”. The iconic image of him in the bath tub is used as the cover for the film and has the highest grossing funds form the project. We first view him as the leader for an association of garbage pickers but is then transformed into an advocate for the rights of the people and the importance of recycling
The documentary Waste Land starring the world renowned Artist Vic Muniz, takes an in depth look at the compelling lives of workers at the world’s largest landfill, Jardim Gramacho. Within the film, aspects of the “catédores” or picker’s lives are examined, as we are introduced to their daily struggles from a limited perspective. Vic Muniz, alongside director Lucy Walker combine to convey a realist message about the difficulties faced when stricken with poverty and effectively viewing others beyond the physical appearance. The artwork beginning as Muniz’s actual purpose becomes a means of hope for the workers, and transforms their lives through this truly inspirational documentary. Beginning the 2001 film, the opening introduces …show more content…
I believe it’s realistically about finding beauty in a place void of hope, with many destitute people who find themselves bettered by this odd experience. More relatable with every coming scene, these workers become personable, the viewer begins to learn each journey as personal reference to each character. An interesting synopsis article of Waste Land reads “Muniz quickly befriends a number of catadores. We meet Irma, the cook who improvises everyone’s lunches out of scavenged food; Zumbi, the resident intellectual who has held onto every book he’s rummaged; and Valter who pontificates about poverty and recycling. This motley crew is headed up by their president, Tião Santos who formed the cooperative Association of Pickers of Jardim Gramacho that has been making everyone’s lives slightly better. Thanks to books found in the dump that has been his home since he was eleven, Tião reveals that he has read Machiavelli and identifies with that timeless story of power and leadership.” (ILLYWORDS,2010) Even with that small description of the characters, we are not viewing them as garbage, but as friends …show more content…
Over the Two year journey we begin to understand the exponential growth and maturation the pickers have experienced while associating with Vic Muniz in relation to the art. Understanding that life is mixed conceptually helps so that we better understand each aspect of this film as well; because it can be perceived in so many ways. Literal and symbolic implications of Muniz’s grooming is apparent; as each character was obviously improved from his guidance. Such as Tião Santos, in the documentary he gains fame from “The Pictures of Garbage”. The iconic image of him in the bath tub is used as the cover for the film and has the highest grossing funds form the project. We first view him as the leader for an association of garbage pickers but is then transformed into an advocate for the rights of the people and the importance of recycling