The Scavengers (1993)

Powerful

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

This movie is a documentary that comes as extra in the "Peões" DVD, by Eduardo Coutinho. The director began in the "Globo Reporter" TV show in Globo, Brazil and then started filming pictures.The picture begins with a garbage truck dumping trash in the big trash terrain near Rio de Janeiro. People start struggling for the most valuable trash, which are food, metal and plastic. Scenes of young child eating trash is really shocking and if you don't have enough guts you may even throw up. Do not eat popcorn while viewing.It is pretty intriguing to see that people get used to the trash, like an old man who tells that if he stays one week far from the garbage, he have to go there on Sunday to smell it. Yikes! It is also stunning to see the mother that was born in there and has already seven kids. Moreover, she and his husband say that they want twelve, and maybe "if God sends" even eighteen children. In one way it may show like irresponsibility, but in other hand it shows courage and bravery of that poor people, who sees happiness and joy in the children. Should be example to rich people.By the way, this movie is much better than "Peões".

Prepare your mind and stomach: "Boca de Lixo" (included as an extra in the DVD release of Eduardo Coutinho's 2004 documentary "Peões") is a documentary about the unspeakable life condition of dozens of families who live off garbage in the landfill of Itaoca, 40 km away from Rio de Janeiro. How these men, women and children, forgotten by everyone (governments, NGOs, the media, churches, God Himself) manage not only to survive but to actually have hope and dignity -- and even smile occasionally -- is beyond any rational explanation; it's a proof of die-hard human resilience even when facing the most abject circumstances and the most revolting social injustice imaginable. "Boca de Lixo" is the raw, tough companion to Jorge Furtado's similar-theme instant classic short "Ilha das Flores" (1989); but while "Ilha" wins you by its originality, wit and elegant structure, "Boca de Lixo" punches your belly and knocks you out. You may say what you want about director Coutinho's methods -- yes, he can be interfering, obvious, patronizing -- but these images here are so strong you can almost smell the stink coming from the screen. If you don't get a big lump in your throat when you watch "Boca de Lixo", you're probably dead already. Don't miss this one -- but beware of its unsettling effects.PS: If you liked this one, you should probably try to see Marcos Prado's documentary "Estamira" (2004).