Abstract
A 2011 "Notable Video for Adults" as selected by the American Library Association
Filmed over four years, Garbage Dreams follows three teenage boys - Adham, a bright precocious 17-year-old; Osama, a charming impish 16-year-old; Nabil, a shy artistic 18-year-old - born into the trash trade and growing up in the world's largest garbage village, a ghetto located on the outskirts of Cairo. It is a world folded onto itself, an impenetrable labyrinth of narrow roadways camouflaged by trash; it is home to 60,000 Zaballeen (or Zabbaleen), Egypt's "garbage people."
For generations, the residents of Cairo have depended on the Zaballeen to collect their trash, paying them only a minimal amount for their garbage collection services. The Zaballeen survive by recycling the city's waste. These entrepreneurial garbage workers recycle 80% of all the garbage they collect, creating what is arguably the world's most efficient waste disposal system.
In 2003, following the international trend to privatize services, the city decided to replace the Zabelleen with multinational garbage disposal companies. Their giant waste trucks now line the streets, but they are contractually obligated to recycle only 20% of what they collect, leaving the rest to rot in giant landfills.
Suddenly, the Zabelleen community is finding their way of life disappearing before their eyes. Face to face with the globalization of their trade, each of the teenage boys is forced to make choices that will impact his future and the survival of his community.
Filmed over four years, Garbage Dreams follows three teenage boys - Adham, a bright precocious 17-year-old; Osama, a charming impish 16-year-old; Nabil, a shy artistic 18-year-old - born into the trash trade and growing up in the world's largest garbage village, a ghetto located on the outskirts of Cairo. It is a world folded onto itself, an impenetrable labyrinth of narrow roadways camouflaged by trash; it is home to 60,000 Zaballeen (or Zabbaleen), Egypt's "garbage people."
For generations, the residents of Cairo have depended on the Zaballeen to collect their trash, paying them only a minimal amount for their garbage collection services. The Zaballeen survive by recycling the city's waste. These entrepreneurial garbage workers recycle 80% of all the garbage they collect, creating what is arguably the world's most efficient waste disposal system.
In 2003, following the international trend to privatize services, the city decided to replace the Zabelleen with multinational garbage disposal companies. Their giant waste trucks now line the streets, but they are contractually obligated to recycle only 20% of what they collect, leaving the rest to rot in giant landfills.
Suddenly, the Zabelleen community is finding their way of life disappearing before their eyes. Face to face with the globalization of their trade, each of the teenage boys is forced to make choices that will impact his future and the survival of his community.
Collection
Subject
Refuse collection -- Egypt -- Cairo, Recycling (Waste, etc.) -- Egypt -- Cairo, Ragpickers -- Egypt -- Cairo, Refuse and refuse disposal -- Egypt -- Cairo, Globalization -- Economic aspects -- Egypt -- Cairo, Globalization -- Economic aspects, Ragpickers, Recycling (Waste, etc.), Refuse and refuse disposal, Refuse collection
Contributors
Iskander, Mai (director), Iskander, Mai (cinematographer), Iskander, Mai (producer), Hirson, Kate (producer), Hirson, Kate (editor), Mesinai, Raz (composer), Reynolds, Jessica (editor), Ali, Mostafa (collaborator), Iskander Films (producer), MotiveArt (Firm) (producer), Chicken & Egg Pictures (Firm) (collaborator)
Duration
01:19:24 (HH:MM:SS)
Language:
English
Target or Intended Audience
adult/continuing education, higher education, college
Copyright Holder
| Name | The Cinema Guild, Inc. |
| Role | distributor |
| Telephone | (800) 723-5522 |
| Address | 115 West 30th Street, Suite 800 ยท New York, NY 10001 |
| [email protected] |
Copyright Date
2009-01-01
Rights Declaration:
This video is protected by copyright. You are free to view it but not download or remix it. Please contact the licensing institution for further information about how you may use this video.
Persistent/Share URL
https://54098.surd9.group/show.php?pid=njcore:56464
Basic LTI parameter
pid=njcore:56464
PID
njcore:56464
Metadata