Review: Garbage Warrior

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Review: Garbage Warrior

Michael Reynolds’ hero is Noah (of the ark fame). Michael Reynolds is going to save the world. If you don’t know who Michael Reynolds is yet, then watch Garbage Warrior.
Garbage Warrior follows the architect on his quest to make people see beyond the rule book and grasp a new perspective based on open-mindedness and self-sufficient houses made out of beer can building bricks and tyres filled with mud. His hair is reminiscent of ghost train cob webs and his home brings to mind the Teletubbies hill house set on the moon. It’s fair to say that he tightropes right near the edge of falling into loon land. One thing sets him apart from your average dippy hippy though: he talks sense.
The houses that Michael builds are undeniably strange. They are strange though entirely because they are at odds with the norm and after the camera has snooped around a few of these houses, the beauty overtakes the weirdness. Coloured bottles set into the walls create jewelled patterns and together with the curvature of the constructions and use of circles, the final effect is magnificent in a Gaudi way.
The science behind the structures is even more impressive. Tyres packed tight with mud are used in sun-facing walls and this thermal mass stores the heat. There is no need for heating, even in a minus 35 snowy winter. This lack of reliance on outside resources is the key to Michael’s background philosophy. Not having to pay for power, growing his food and using internal sewage systems leads to happiness because, as Michael gushes, it means “I am free and I own my own life”. Not tied to bills, Michael can get up in the morning and do whatever the hell he likes.
At times the documentary does veer into slightly dubious utopian dream territory as flowing locked ladies explain how they were “inspired to build my own earthship”. However, this does not leave the film lacking and instead provides excellent comic fodder.
Unlike a lot of documentaries based around environmental issues, the vibe of Garbage Warrior, directed by Oliver Hodge, is that of hope not doom. Michael’s optimism is hard to resist and despite the difficulties that he faces battling bureaucracy, one of his greatest strengths is his own belief in his power to change building for the better. One to watch if you’re struggling to get past post-Inconvenient Truth depression.

Natasha Lewis

4 stars