Manufactured Landscapes (2006)

This is the most confronting documentary I have ever seen. It was a simple and breathtaking view of a beautiful idea. Based on photographs of the hidden industrial landscapes centred around the modern industrial growth of China, Edward Burtynsky brings to life confronting issues that we so easily chose to ignore.Taking no political sides, this movie is a neutral moving picture of realities that our western societies chooses not to educate us about - the by-products of economical growth, the externalities paid by citizens of the lesser-developed communities, the source of our comforts and the wastes of our consumer lifestyles.Amazing, heart-breaking, impossible to ignore. This is a challenging journey but one worth taking - please stop staying ignorant and at least see these photographs of truth without feeling any pressure to take a standing to these issues. 10/10 definitely!

Edward Burtynsky is a Canadian photographer, especially famous for his depictions of industrial landscapes. His work has granted him cult-like devotion from his mostly local fans until this film was released last year. While his work isn't in the mainstream chic, it has gained a much larger following than it had previously. The film Manufactured Landscapes is a collection of Burtynsky's photos of the industrial countryside of China and other places.Edward's photos are renowned for the subliminal beauty they contain. Nevertheless, this beauty doesn't translate well to the motion-picture format. While the images are breathtaking, they are strewn together with little expository commentary. The images are supposed to relate to the descriptions Edward provides and they do most times. However, not all images are explained sufficiently. I wouldn't expect all the images to receive commentary, but descriptions near the bottom of the screen would have aided the film in effectively communicating as the book does (I feel able to include this statement given that Burtynsky has published a print version of the film).Baichwal employs a naturalistic approach to film-making. Her camera work is reminiscent of hand-held work of Cannibal Holocaust and The Blair Witch Project. The dialog, presumably between Burtynsky and his crew (or locals from his current location) is realistic and perhaps unscripted. The film has no plot, protagonists, nor created sets. So as you may imagine, it is able to progress forward in any direction it chooses. While this approach is unique, it isn't very effective. The pictures appear quickly and Burtynsky discusses them, then he moves to another location (usually in China) and interviews residents or presents new photographs. The audience is forced to rely on the images themselves to convey Baichwal's and Burtynsky's joined message. The images appear consecutively, and mimic the process of viewing them in a book, but without knowledge of their identity, which lessens their effect. I must also admit that Baichwal does provide a large collection of images of modern China, regardless of how overwhelming it may be. While I wish the film did not move to so many places in favor of many photographs of one place, this technique is inconsequential. Edward mentions that he wishes to portray China's new identity as an objective observer. It has no political stance. Manufactured Landscapes is a wonderful example of the necessary distinction between enthusiasm and skill. Edward Burtynsky's photographs are provocative and Baichwal appears to appreciate his photos but this material isn't able to translate into a ninety minute film. The material is not adapted properly into its new artistic format. The images are the focus, when the film format would encourage Burtynsky to discuss his work. The photographs are rightly given full attention in a print source. Perhaps the motion picture would have succeeded in this transition if Burtynsky had described his experiences with references to the images. Their stark appearance on screen is a microcosm of the film's unfortunate ineptitude. P.S. I was able to locate a copy of the Manufactured Landscapes picture book, and I give it my heartiest recommendation.

I have been an admirer of Edward Burtynsky's work for years, and it was such a pleasure to be able to see the man at work, thanks to Jennifer Baichwal's documentary. The severe beauty of the ship-breaking yard in Bangladesh, the stone quarry in Vermont, the enormous assembly plant in China, the beleaguered old neighbourhoods in Shanghai that are just waiting to be torn down: these landscapes are captured so well by the photographer and the filmmaker.At times I thought of old TV documentaries on abandoned coal mines and plastic-mold factories; the sort of stuff I grew up watching. Burtynsky's work has the great value of pointing out how the industrial activity has only shifted to Asia, it has not stopped. The strangest scene for me was the computer scrap-yard somewhere in China--the waste had a threatening air about it, while the workers were very jovial.

This is the most recent addition to a new wave of educational documentaries like "The Corporation" and "Fahrenheit 9/11." Its commentary is clear and unwavering as is the breathtaking cinematic style of this well crafted feature. The film manages to impose a powerful sense of how unsteady our world is as we rush toward an environmentally unsustainable future at lightning speed - while showing us the terrifying beauty in our pursuit of progress. Truly a remarkable accomplishment which must be seen by all who care about the world we leave to our children. Bravo!NB - this is also the only film (of 8) at Varsity theaters (Toronto) boasting a stick-on tag which reads... "To arrange group viewings please contact...." ... a further testament to the popularity and importance of this gem.My bet... an academy award nomination for best documentary.OB101