A year in the lives of Blanca and her children, scavenging the remains of Buenos Aires to live another day. We live alongside them in their joys and pains, exploring their reality, and meet friends and family of Blanca in the same fight for survival. We join with the parents in their battle for survival and befriend their children, learning what these living conditions have caused their view of the world to become.
From my first days in Buenos Aires I was intrigued by the spectacle of cartoneros. Over time I couldn’t get rid of the thought, the need to know: who are these individuals that come into the city at night, recycling the excess waste from the city dwellers, only to disappear into obscurity? What are the life stories of these kids begging for change or scraps of food on the street corners of the city? Why are they in this situation and why can’t they make it out? My intention in making DISCARDED TREASURES was not to answer these questions, but rather present a true-to-life portrait of the day-to-day struggle of these individuals to enable the viewer to draw their own conclusions. Conclusions based on knowledge rather than fear or ignorance.
