Filmed over the course of three years in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -- at the site of one of the world's largest garbage dumps -- renowned artist Vik Muniz journeys from his home base in Brooklyn back to his native Brazil. Muniz is a visual artist known for his photographic images comprised of using non-traditional materials, such as peanut butter, chocolate syrup, dust and most recently, garbage. These unconventional elements become unrecognizable and blurred as the larger message is experienced by the viewer.

In this film, his most recent artistic endeavor is documented, surrounded by the larger idea of impacting a group of people with the very materials they handle daily: garbage. Garbage brought Muniz to the vast grounds of Jardim Gramacho, Rio de Janeiro's largest garbage dump. There, he photographs a diverse group of "catadores," or self-designated pickers of recyclable materials. His collaboration with these catadores evolves into these inspiring individuals recreating photographic images of themselves made out of garbage. The film reveals the beauty as well as struggle of these individuals, as they quickly begin to re-imagine their lives through the beauty of their artwork.

This is another Netflix gem, which I give 5 stars! This documentary is so moving and so profound. It really made me realize how powerful art as a form of expression and beauty is, especially when others outside of the exclusive "art world" realm as we know it are given the opportunity to have a deeper connection with it. This is a beautiful example of how far, deep, wide and impactful "art" can be when those from diverse perspectives are included.

Highly recommended! Watch it on instant (or rent it) this weekend!

-Sophia