Review: Garbage Warrior, Making Houses From Junk

Garbage Warrior is the story of environmental crusader Mike Reynolds, who is determined to provide the world with sustainable housing made of…junk.

The eccentric American architect sees humankind as a herd of buffalos heading towards the cliff of ecological disaster.

Like his idol Noah, Reynolds believes he can see the impending catastrophe coming and is determined to change the course of history.

Building houses out of beer cans, bottles and used tyres in the stark deserts of New Mexico and whiling away the evenings with guitar-playing seems an idyllic life for Reynolds and his ecologically-minded comrades.

If it weren’t for the small problem of building regulations it would all be plain sailing for Reynolds and his merry band.

After several lawsuits for overheated, flooded and leaking houses, the authorities clamp down on Reynolds’ environmentally friendly communities.

Reynolds then embarks on a quest to convince the powers that be that his experimental housing is necessary for the future good of humanity.

The intriguing, single-minded yet compassionate Reynolds is skilfully conveyed in this documentary. But is he an environmental messiah or a deluded megalomaniac? You decide.

A powerfully simple soundtrack underpins the movie. Stunning vistas of the New Mexico desert with other world-like dwellings sprouting from the arid earth provide plenty of nourishment for the eyes.

Screenings: Saturday July 19, 4.15pm at Bridgeway Cinemas; Monday July 21, 6.30pm and Tuesday July 22, 2.00pm at Sky City Theatre; and Saturday July 26, 4.30pm at the Lido Cinema.

For country-wide screenings see: www.nzff.co.nz

UK 2007
Director/ Photography: Oliver Hodge
Editor: Phil Reynolds
Music: Patrick Wilson
With: Michael Reynolds
Festivals: Edinburgh, Karlovy Vary, Vancouver 2007
88 minutes/ M offensive language
www.garbagewarrior.com

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