They work on the streets of Oakland

Commenting on yesterday's post about recycling, Terry Moon wrote (at Facebook):

It is capitalism, after all, whose motto is production for productions sake.

I can hardly suggest a better way to appreciate how capitalist production of commodities without thought or limit bulldozes human beings and our relationships than to watch the film Dogtown Redemption which we saw yesterday afternoon in San Rafael.

Amir Soltani and Chihiro Wimbush's documentary shares the lives -- the pains, the joys, the endurance, the hopes -- of some of a hardy crew of homeless recyclers (trashpickers) who survive in Oakland CA by selling scrap metal, glass and plastic. The product of 7 years of following these individuals (one of them, speaking from the stage yesterday, said the process felt like being "stalked") the viewer is given a unique peek into snippets of some unfamiliar lives.

Unfortunately, this special film is not likely to get much distribution but consult the website. The trailer provides a taste.

Dogtown Redemption (Official Trailer) from Dogtown Redemption on Vimeo.