Saratoga Film Forum
320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

Join us for a screening and discussion on the documentary Waste Land (2010, Director Lucy Walker). Set in the world’s largest garbage dump in the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, Waste Land charts an inspiring project between artist Vik Muniz and individuals who gather recyclable materials in the landfill. An artwork by Vik Muniz from this project is currently on view in the Tang exhibition Affinity Atlas.

With an introduction on artist Vik Muniz by Tang Dayton Director Ian Berry and a post-screening conversation on waste and sustainability in our community with:

• Alex Hagney and Matthew Weale, Skidmore College class of 2016 and co-presidents of FeedMore

• Levi Rogers, Sustainability Coordinator, Skidmore College

• Margie Shepard, Sustainable Saratoga

Tickets: $8 general public; $6 students (with student ID) and Film Forum Members

About the film: 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” — 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. Director Lucy Walker (Devil’s Playground, Blindsight and Countdown to Zero) and co-directors João Jardim and Karen Harley have great access to the entire process and, in the end, offer stirring evidence of the transformative power of art and the alchemy of the human spirit.