Lone Star International Film Festival 2009

In a small ghetto located on the outskirts of Cairo, 60,000 Zaballeen (“Garbage People”) collect and recycle 80% of their garbage as their method for survival in the world’s largest garbage village. Their efficiency in garbage collection is, arguably, the most proficient in the world; however, their jobs quickly become endangered by the globalization of their trade from larger multi-national garbage disposal companies. Through the narrow roadways in the labyrinth of garbage, three boys, born into the trash trade, must make choices at a cross roads in their lives that will impact their future as well as the future of their community. This fascinating film has won 4 festival awards this year. Blake Nelms