A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: Recycled Life

Date Viewed: 2/20/07

Details:

Edward James Olmos (narrator)

Produced & directed by Leslie Iwerks & Mike Glad

Score: 0

The Review: The Guatemala City garbage dump is home to hundreds of people who not only live off the spoils and retrieved trash, but also actually live in or near the dump itself. This huge (30 acre) ravine has been open for 60 years, and has supported this sub-culture for quite some time; but this situation has an expiration date -- the dump is expected to be filled-in entirely in the next 2-1/2 years.

The dump miners, named Guajeros, are both the subjects and narrators of this documentary. The life is hard and has its dangers, but children are raised in the dump and become the next generation of Guajero. Dangers include accidental crushing by the trucks bringing garbage, and the infamous fire of January 2005. This documentary was already under way when the fire occurred, and the smoking ruins and the aftermath are included.

Narrated by Edward James Olmos.

One of the 2006 Academy Award nominees for documentary short feature; others included The Blood of Yingzhou District, Rehearsing a Dream and Two Hands.

(17-Mar-07)

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