Landfill Harmonic

The people of Catuera, Paraguay are surrounded by trash. The small town of 2,500 includes a dump that recieves 1,500 tons of solid waste a day; the biggest in South America. The residents rely on it for income, collecting and selling items that can be recycled. Some of the most dangerous and unsanitary tasks are performed by children. LANDFILL HARMONIC documents the unique story of Favio Chavez, an ecological technician who started teaching free music lessons to the kids living there. As the classes filled up, he discovered there weren’t enough instruments. He collaborated with a garbage picker whose passion for woodworking led to a creative solution. They transformed old scraps of metal, wood, and random junk into cellos, violins, and drums. Dubbed the Recycled Orchestra, the kids gained global attention for their unconventional tools. Their noteriety helped to inform the world of the unpleasant conditions back home. Music also gave them opportunites they never imagined, spreading hope through their community. This beautiful film shines a spotlight on a town no longer defined by the dump in their backyard, but rather by their ingenuity and inspiring talent. (In Spanish with subtitles) –E.F.