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Review

As Egypt's lowest class, the 60,000 Zaballeen painstakingly collect and sort all of Cairo's refuse. These impoverished individuals have created what is arguably the world's most effective resource recovery system -– recycling 80% of what they collect. It's incredible to comprehend that their methods, which have not changed for over 100 years, re-appropriate three times more wasted material than our high-tech Western recycling facilities. Living amongst towers of garbage is daunting, but the people who have had to make this squalid world their home for generations have somehow managed to survive, excel at their trade, find love, and even create art. When young Zaballeen workers Nabil, Osama, and Adham are faced with Egypt’s newly instated modern trash removal system, they are each forced to confront their future plans. The film poses many tough questions, not the least of which is the future survival of our planet’s poorest and most vulnerable souls. As we continue to try to undo much of the damage we have done to our planet, it is important that we take the time to consider the welfare of all of the people living on it.

 -- Jennifer Steinberg