"Waste Land" is Filled with Riches

June 16, 2011 by Joseph Susanka

Continued from Page 1

The film is a paradoxical work; a creation of unexpected beauty that defies the sordid bleakness of its surroundings. The initial images of Jardim Gramacho, bound together by the instrumental musings of Moby, are both unsettling and depressing. But as Muniz grows closer to the catedores themselves, recognizing their stubborn drive for survival and wondering at their deep-seated pride in the fruits of their honest labors, the dump's stark reality softens and grows almost comforting.

Muniz's own journey is deeply uplifting. In the film's opening moments, he expresses concern for his safety amidst the catadores. But by its conclusion, he is overwhelmed by the goodness and decency he has found among them. They are not redeemed by his art; rather, his art has been transformed by the extraordinary beauty and honesty of their lives—lives lived out cheerfully in the midst of great poverty and suffering. "When you see the appetite for life these people have, and the way they carry themselves, it just inspires you....even if everything went wrong, you could still be like them. And they're beautiful." Even if he lost everything, he realizes, the ability and the desire to do good would remain.

Yet the film's most extraordinary insight is not that Muniz's experience with the catadores has changed him forever, or that his work has influenced the lives of all who participated in his project. It is in recognizing the extraordinary character of the catedores themselves, and what they can teach us about poverty and peace.

The workers Muniz meets are not always happy. Their lives are hard; their futures, bleak; their troubles, seemingly endless. Yet they are right-minded and strong-willed, understanding the power and dignity of their labors in a way that their "betters" often fail to recognize. Their lives are filled with a contentedness and a hope that is difficult to achieve for those of us weighed down by our material possessions and driven by the desire to possess them. Poverty is a heavy cross to bear, and few of us would willingly embrace its. Yet those who bear it are acutely aware that they are not called to carry it alone, and it is that awareness that may be its greatest gift.

The pangs of poverty are always with us. But then, so is He.

Page: 2 of 2

6/16/2011 4:00:00 AM

Through a Lens Darkly

Film

Movies

Waste Land

Christianity

Roman Catholicism

more at patheos

VBS Murder Skit: When a Church Teaches Children Violence

Leah D. Schade

Does AI Write Better Than Students?

James McGrath

Meet the Edgy Catholic Writer Joseph Cillo Jr

Mark Wilson

The More We Apprehend Of God, The Greater God Becomes For Us

Henry Karlson

About Joseph Susanka

Joseph Susanka has been doing development work for institutions of Catholic higher education since his graduation from Thomas Aquinas College in 1999. He blogs at Crisis Magazine, where he also contributes feature articles on a variety of topics.

Patheos Logo Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Subscription Support Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In

Follow Patheos