Bermuda International Film Festival 2009

A city of 18 million people, Cairo had no city-wide waste disposal system for years. Instead, residents relied on 60,000 Zaballeen, Egypt’s indigenous garbage workers, to collect their trash. Long before recycling became trendy, the Zaballeen were actively separating and recycling the tons of garbage collected each day to earn a living. These entrepreneurial garbage workers recycle 80% of the garbage they collect – arguably the world’s most efficient waste disposal system. Over four years, filmmaker Mai Iskander followed three teenagers – Adham, Osama and Nadil – who grew up in this garbage village. We see the impact on their life when the city decides to replace the Zaballeen by contracting with multinational garbage disposal companies. The change in policy threatens the Zaballeen livelihood and the survival of the community. As this crossroad is reached, each teen must choose his future. More than a story about garbage, the filmmaker has created an intriguing, multi-layered film that observes the culture of the Zaballeen and provides a window to their hopes, dreams and fears.