“The Help”

directed by Tate Taylor

The 2011 film adapted from the novel of the same name by  Katheryn Stockett, is about a young white woman, Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan, and her relationship with two black maids during the Civil Rights Era. Skeeter is a journalist who decides to write a book from the point of view of the maids, exposing the racism they are faced with as they work for white families. In February 2012, the film received four Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, Best Actress, for Davis, Best Supporting Actress  for Chastain, and a win for Best Supporting Actress for Spencer.

click below to view the trailer

“Waste Land”

directed by Lucy Walker

The 2010 documentary follows two years of work by Brazilian contemporary modern artist Vic Muniz in creating art with the cooperation of scavengers of recyclables working at  one of the world’s largest landfills, serving the metropolis of Rio de Janeiro , Brazil. Nominated for the Academy Award for best documentary and winner of the best international documentary at Sundance, The film portrays the lives of the garbage pickers and their working conditions as well as Muniz’s efforts to help them to gain recognition and better living conditions.

click below to view the trailer