- What do you feel is the message
the director is trying to express in this movie? Support your answer
with examples.
I
think Vik Muniz is trying to help the people who work in this landfill recognition. He’s trying to help them take a step
forward. There was one man who wanted to
build a library and he helps them succeed.
He understands their living conditions and is out to give them better
lives. I think the reason he wanted to
show the world this is because it shows we can all help someone in our own
way. At the beginning he talks about how
it’s important to talk with people not only for understanding, but it gets them
away from their problems for just a few minutes. Simple things like that can make a big
difference.
- If applicable , discuss if you
think this movie has accurate depictions of minorities or if they are situational?
Why or why not?
This
movie mainly showed the people of Jardim Gramacho, which is the world’s
largest dump located on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. It didn’t show any minorities because all of
the people appeared to come from this same area a culture.
- Explain if you think the
director’s ethnic/cultural/professional background played a role in
directing this film?
I
think that how the people are represented are a direct influence of the
director. I believe that the director portrayed
them in a positive light, and gave the people a chance to share their stories
and become recognized. The director had
to have had a personal connection to this to make something so awful into
something very beautiful and moving.
- What groups (people of color,
nationality, culture, class,gender etc.) may be offended or misinterpret
this movie and why?
I
can’t think of anyone who would be offended by this movie. I think it was a great social project that
everyone should see. I could see,
however, some of the people in this movie thinking we are feeling sorry for
them at some points.
- What the movie added to your
visual literacy?
At
the beginning, the artist in this movie said that art and humanity are tied
together. What I learned from this movie
is that you can help people by doing what you love. This man found a way to help people and make
their lives into art. He gave them faces
and told their stories rather than just letting the world forget about
them.
- What kind of artistic and/or
visual means did the director use in the movie to focus our attention?
I thought it was great
that they had so much footage from right on the landfill site. The photographs
and art that the Vik Muniz has created were also captivating. I also liked the view from the top of the
plane when they first got there. The
whole movie was inspired by making art so there were such great artistic pieces
that drew me in throughout the whole movie.
- Additional comments/and or
analysis/and or other movies recommendations (optional).
I
recommend keeping this film on the movie list. I thought it was inspiring it
and I enjoyed it all the way throughout.
It sent a great message and showed amazing people and art.
Art pjece created by Vik Muniz inspired by a
Image Via http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/waste-land
Artist Vik Muniz
