Nominated for a 2011 Oscar® for Best Documentary Feature, and filmed over nearly three years, Waste Land follows renowned artist Vik Muniz as he journeys from his home base in Brooklyn to his native Brazil and the world’s largest garbage dump, Jardim Gramacho, located on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. There he photographs an eclectic band of “catadores” — or self-designated pickers of recyclable materials. Muniz’s initial objective was to “paint” the catadores with garbage. However, his collaboration with these inspiring characters as they recreate photographic images of themselves out of garbage reveals both the dignity and despair of the catadores as they begin to re-imagine their lives. Walker (Devil’s Playground, Blindsight, Countdown to Zero) has great access to the entire process and, in the end, offers stirring evidence of the transformative power of art and the alchemy of the human spirit.
Movies at the Museum features films by North Carolina filmmakers, films about the arts, and about the history and culture of the Appalachian region. Complimentary popcorn will be provided.
Reviews
“…the Slumdog Millionaire of documentaries: an inspiring, deeply moving crowd-pleaser.”—Huffington Post
“Waste Land travels to an island populated by society’s discards, and finds a piece of salvation.”—The A.V. Club
“Fascinating…uncommonly moving.”—The Village Voice
When: Thursday, September 21
Time: 7pmam – 8:30pm
Where: 159 Chestnut Street
Blowing Rock
Cost: $5 students with ID, seniors, active military, EBT cardholders, $7 general admission
For more information, visit:
http://blowingrockmuseum.org/calendar.html/event/2017/09/21/waste-land/165362
