SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2022 REVIEW! Written and directed by Romain Dumont, See You, Garbage! expresses how too much pride causes the masses to fail on a regular basis. Three garbage collectors, Nino (Guillaume Laurin), Élle (Hamza Meziani), and Belz (Hamidou Savadogo), have been invited to Christmas dinner at the residence of the Prime Minister (Steve Laplante) and the First Lady (Caroline Dhavernas). What initially appears to be a friendly gesture among the ranks of Montreal quickly turns into a venture of hubris and discomfort.
Darkness emanates throughout the entirety of this short comedy, and it plays a significant role in viewers’ reception. While listed as a comedy, and there are certainly some black comedy scenes, the drama takes massive precedence over the humor – and that’s a good thing. The discomfort the mashing of these two genres creates is difficult to look away from, almost like a car accident. The drama that fills the room latches onto viewers and provides them a reason to remain focused.
“Three garbage collectors…have been invited to Christmas dinner at the residence of the Prime Minister…”
I often find myself during physically darker films craning my neck or squinting, trying to see the nuances present in the frame. But even through the darkness of See You, Garbage!, one can see every moving piece. Cinematographer Antoine Ryan captures the essence of the film, allowing its sentiments to rise to the surface, and ultimately puts a tidy little bow on this dark and mysterious package. Ryan creates a visual palette that is uncomfortable, appropriately representing the tone and mood of the film.
I would be remiss if I didn’t address the narrative’s social commentary. There are obvious ranks among the characters, and that dynamic speaks to all watching. As a teacher, I know for a fact that when my students look at me, all they see is a teacher. Whether that is a good thing or not, that’s how they view me. I believe it’s fair to say that the majority of individuals would look at others and judge them based on their profession, and that’s where Romain Dumont’s important message comes into play. He begs viewers to look at the person and not their career. The relevance is obvious, and the fresh take on social competency is welcome.
The acting and story are wonderful, and I’d be hard-pressed to find something wrong with any aspect of See You, Garbage!, but the MVP of the film is Ryan. His ability to capture the subtleties of Dumont’s film is astounding, and he’s ultimately the reason that audience members take so much away from the incredible film. With that being said, make no mistake that the all-star team, comprising superb actors, a superior screenplay, stylish directing, and beautiful visuals, joins together to bring life to the film in a magical and vibrant way.
See You, Garbage! screened at the 2022 Slamdance Film Festival.
"…the acting and story are wonderful..."
