aiff_program10_interior.xp 3/4/10 11:48 PM Page 25
Garbage Dreams Greenlit
documentar
79 minutes ■ 2009 ■ USA/Egypt ■ In Competition 50 minutes ■ 2009 ■ USA ■ In Competition
Thursday 6:20p
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Friday 12:20p
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Saturday 3:20p Saturday 12:00p
Plays with: Trash-Out (p41) Plays with: It Ain’t Easy Being Green Panel (see below)
Director/Cinematographer: Mai Iskander ■ Producers: Kate Hirson, Mai Iskander ■ Director: Miranda Bailey ■ Producers: Miranda Bailey, Marc Lesser, Lauren Selman ■
Executive Producers: Claudia Miller, Tiffany Schauer ■ Editors: Kate Hirson, Jessica Reynolds Executive Producers: Matthew Leutwyler, Amanda Marshall ■ Cinematographer/Editor:
■ Music/Composer: Raz Mesinai ■ Principal Cast: Adham, Laila, Nabil, Osama ■ Marc Lesser ■ Music/Composer: Craig Richey ■ Principal Cast: Miranda Bailey, Kristi Denton
ies
garbagedreams.com Cohen, Zach Gilford, Kieran Henthorn, Matthew Leutwyler, Tyler B. Robinson, Lauren Selman
Three teenage boys born into the “trash trade” grow up in the Hollywood people are legendarily liberal and left-leaning, par-
world’s largest garbage village—a ghetto located on the outskirts ticularly when it comes to the environment. This film puts their
of Cairo and home to 60,000 Zaballeen, Arabic for “garbage peo- commitment to the test as the filmmaker follows the Oregon pro-
ple.” For generations, the residents of Cairo have depended on duction of the AIFF feature The River Why (p49), as it attempts
the Zaballeen to collect their trash and survive by recycling the to keep an environmentally friendly set. A “green consultant” is
city’s waste. These entrepreneurial garbage workers proudly re- hired, compost bins are secured—so, why is it all still so hard?
cycle 80% of all the garbage they collect, creating what is ar- What starts off with great enthusiasm quickly devolves in this
guably the world’s most efficient waste disposal system. insightful and entertaining film.
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They have created a recycling model that costs the state nothing, Immediately following the 50 minute film, a panel will discuss
recycles so much waste and employs tens of thousands of Cairo’s choices about how we live, work and play in a “green” way. The
poorest. The Zaballeen earn little, but it is a livelihood. Or has been. panel, It Ain’t Easy Being Green, moderated by Jeff Golden, will
When their community is suddenly faced with the globalization of include the director of Greenlit and representatives from The
its trade, each of the boys is forced to make choices that will impact River Why including the film’s green consultant Lauren Selman,
his future and the survival of his community. [subtitles] and local sustainability advocates who are walking the talk.
Mai Iskander Miranda Bailey
Director’s Statement Director’s Statement
In 2005, I returned to Mokattam (on the out- As an independent film producer living in
skirts of my family’s hometown, Cairo) and Hollywood I never really thought about how
volunteered to help at The Recycling School. much waste actually gets accumulated on
I filmed a few of the students applying vi- every movie I make. That is, until my pro-
brant colors and making whimsical pictures duction company filmed The River Why, and
on a drab concrete wall, thinking that I could our fellow producer/financier on the project
cut together a little film about their mural as a present for them. was interested in making this indie film “green.” I had no idea
In front of the camera, these amazing children blossomed. They what that meant and frankly thought it sounded like a bad idea.
were uninhibited and genuinely pleased that an “outsider” took How could we make our film green when we didn’t even have all
such interest in them. Most of all, they were proud of their way the money to finish the movie?
of life and their history. And like typical teenagers, they wanted
to show off their fashion sense, their workout routine, and their
This film shows the complexities of our film business, and the
music. We all became fast friends.
hypocrisies, as well. We all want to say we are “green” but are we
really? What are the costs? What exactly needs to change? Where
I returned to Mokattam many times over the next four years, and do we start as filmmakers to make this a priority? I’m hoping that
was always made welcome in the tiny homes or up on their this film will answer some of these questions through its fun and
rooftops. I hope that my friends follow their dreams. I hope the creative tone and that it will raise environmental awareness in
bigger world will recognize that it is these dreamers who become our industry and start a dialogue among my peers.
leaders.
Filmography: Directorial Debut
Filmography: Directorial Debut
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