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This award-winning 2015 documentary tells the story of the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura, one of the world’s most remarkable and inspiring musical ensembles. In a deeply impoverished town of 2,500 on the edge of a massive landfill near the Paraguayan capital, Asunción, children have been learning to play violins, cellos, horns, and drums, all “recycled” from garbage retrieved from the dump. Under the leadership of visionary teacher and founder, Favio Chavez, and with the help of local craftsman, Nicholás “Cola” Gómez, the Recycled Orchestra was born.
In a town where 1,500 tons of waste are dumped every day, children grow up with a bleak vision shaped by the rubbish that surrounds them. Or, they did until the Recycled Orchestra came into their lives. It’s a music education program where each instrument is as unique as the child that learns to play it, and a new spirit of pride, accomplishment and possibilities is born every day.
The Recycled Orchestra has gone on to international acclaim, performing with Stevie Wonder and Metallica. They will soon be the subject of a new musical by Gloria Estefan, Basura.
With introductory remarks by Recycled Orchestra founder, Favio Chavez.
100% Positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
“…an inspiring tale…”
– The New York Times
“Every once in a while, a documentary film comes along that lifts the spirits of all who experience it. These stories have a universality that draws diverse people together and helps tear down the many artificially constructed walls that separate them. Landfill Harmonic is one of those magical movies. It is guaranteed to bring tears of joy to your eyes.”
– Spirituality and Practice