FILM SYNOPSIS:

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 dignity and despair as the catadores begin to re-imagine their lives.

Director Walker (Devil's Playground, Blindsight) supplies 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. The Hollywood Reporter writes, "A joy to watch despite the abject poverty it contains, Waste Land transcends the artist-documentary format and has a broad emotional appeal that should ensure a warm reaction from theatrical audiences. Easily as concerned with social and environmental issues as it is with the fine-art career that sets it in motion, the movie never focuses on big issues at the expense of the individuals it encounters." Winner of many awards at festivals around the world including the Audience Prize at the 2010 Sundance and Berlin Film Festivals.

DIRECTOR’S BIOGRAPHY:

Walker was born and grew up in London. After studying literature at Oxford University she moved to New York as a Fulbright scholar at the Tisch School of the Arts. She has made short films and music videos, worked in children’s television and directed a prize- winning documentary about Amish teenagers, DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND. This film was followed by BLINDSIGHT.