Comments on: SXSW FILM: Garbage Dreams

By: felix

felix — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:26:10 +0000

I got the chance to see this film in New York and really what an amazing story. The whole idea of these garbage collectors being at the vanguard of the environmental movement in Cairo is a story that needs to be heard, and now even more know that their trade is being jeopardiazed by corporations! This film just got shortlisted for the Oscars and I really hope it makes it, that way this village will receive the world’s attention.

By: BOBBET

BOBBET — Sat, 02 May 2009 04:36:29 +0000

Congratulations Garbage Dreams! GARBAGE DREAMS WINS AL GORE REEL CURRENT AWARD

After naming “Garbage Dreams” by director Mai Iskander the winner of the 2009 REEL Current Award at the Nashville Film Festival (NaFF), Al Gore — Nobel Peace Prize winner, Academy Award winner and former Vice-President of the United States — presented the award to Iskander on Friday of last week during a private meeting in Nashville.

AL GORE SAYS OF THE FILM:
\\\”\\\’Garbage Dreams\\\’ is a moving story of young men searching for a ways to eke out a living for their families and facing tough choices as they try to do the right thing for the planet. Mai Iskander guides us into a \\\’garbage village,\\\’ a place so different from our own, and yet the choices they face there are so hauntingly familiar. Ultimately, \\\’Garbage Dreams\\\’ makes a compelling case that modernization does not always equal progress.\\\”

By: douglas e lamb

douglas e lamb — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:36:46 +0000

can’t wait to get next issue

By: APaisley

APaisley — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:10:15 +0000

I had to stand in line twice to see it at SXSW, but this up close and personal journey into the lives of Cairo’s “garbage people was worth the wait. Brilliantly told from the perspective of three teenage boys, this obscure and foreign story becomes somehow familiar as you quickly realize that their dreams are our dreams. If you are expecting to see another sad, downtrodden group of exploited poor people, think again! There are no victims here. These are proud, productive, happy, warm, charming people facing challenges that threaten their survival, yet their dignity, determination and faith remain uncompromised. Efficient recycling is just one of the many lessons to be learned from the Zaballeen!

By: easied

easied — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 23:51:12 +0000

Why can’t the contracted European garbage collectors bring all the collected garbage to Mokattam for the Zaballeen to recycle?

By: flynn_wpb

flynn_wpb — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 22:32:39 +0000

I agree completely with Marja. Garbage Dreams was an incredibly compelling film! I was lucky to see it a SXSW.

This documentary was an eye opener on many levels. From the efficient and effective recycling practices of the Zaballeen, to the day to day life of these people, who wake up everyday in the slum only to collect trash all day for a nominal amount.

That said, the three young protagonists in this film were incredible, smart, and intriguing and I fell in love with them and their story!

You must see the film!!!

By: marja

marja — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:11:38 +0000

I saw this film at SXSW and I loved it. I was lucky to get a ticket at the last screening before the film sold out. I waited in line for the second screening at SXSW, but I was unfortunately one of the many who couldn’t get a seat. The screening was sold out all three times!

The film is not manipulative and let the Zaballeen speak for themself. It was a honest portrayal of a culture and way of life. I was so inspired by this community and the fact that they recycle 80% of the garbage they collect. I will never think of garbage in the same way.

And I will never forget the charismatic unique and characters.

I love this film!!!!!

By: crackgerbal

crackgerbal — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:27:23 +0000

This looks like a really good documentary, I will definitely have to check it out. thanks for posting in this.

By: shiragolding

shiragolding — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:14:31 +0000

there's a short version of this film that you can watch online for free as part of the seventh annual Media That Matters Film Festival: http://www.mediathatmattersfest.org/watch/7/we_are_the_zaballeen