Waste Land

What happens in the world's largest trash city will transform you.


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.

"Waste Land" is suitable for major events and appeals to a broad audience, including environmentalists, art enthusiasts, Brazil fans and people with an interest in Third World countries. It can also be used with secondary school students. It addresses a variety of topics and gives an impressive picture of the power exerted through the convictions of individuals and the collaboration of many people.

The documentary "Waste Land" by Lucy Walker was honored with two awards at the 2010 Berlinale. In addition to the Panorama audience award, the documentary was also awarded the Amnesty International Film Award.

"Waste Land" was nominated for Best Documentary at the Academy Awards® in 2011.

"Waste Land“ fascinates through human interviews and a respectful documentation style. Some recordings can not be seen anywhere else. The subject of garbage almost automatically leads to a high relevance of this film, which also brings many well-introduced examples.

The documentation on the work of the garbage workers is fluid and exciting to look at, extremely stimulating and absolutely intelligent. However, no scientific connections are demonstrated or facts are conveyed, instead the influence of our lifestyle on others is pointed out.

"Wasteland“ has an understandable structure, a good reference from picture to content, good visual quality, editing and camera work, only the music can not quite keep up.

In this inspiring art documentation, everything revolves around people, which involves the viewer in the midst of the event. The initiatory power of the protagonists is contagious. Lucy Walker creates a global perspective and the relation to a larger whole. "Waste Land“ arouses appreciation and a lot of empathy for the garbage workers and creates sense of responsibility. The film creates a connection from ecology to happiness and fulfillment.

Director(s): Lucy Walker, Karin Harley, João Jardim
Production: O2 Filmes, Almega Projects, Hank Levine, Angus Aynsley
Music: Moby
Actors: Vik Muniz
Year: 2010
Duration: 1 min
Picture format: 16:9
Our age recommendation: 8
Language (audio): English, Portuguese
Language (subtitles): German, French
Country of origin: Brazil, United Kingdom
Shooting Locations: Brazil
Screening rights: Praesens Film (Switzerland) | eOne Films ()

You can also view it for a fee at:

Further reviews


Main topic(s): Human Potential Upcycling, Recycling + Waste
Secondary topics: art recycling
Mentions: trash garbage art collector recycling catadores Jardim Gramacho brazil dump art portrait collage
Topic Page(s): Upcycling, Recycling + Waste Human Potential


Overall rating


Entertainment value

Scientific & journalistic quality

Transfer of a momentum

Picture, music, craftsmanship

Host a Screening

Film Tips

Other Films