“Landfill Harmonic” is a 2015 documentary film that tells the story of the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura, which we just talked about — the Paraguayan youth orchestra that plays instruments made from trash.
Directed by Brad Allgood and Graham Townsley, the documentary follows conductor Favio Chávez, luthier Nicolás “Cola” Gómez, and several of the young musicians from Cateura as they build the orchestra and its instruments from scratch, using recycled materials pulled from the landfill surrounding their community. The film chronicles their journey from local obscurity to international recognition, including a pivotal tour that took the young musicians to perform in several countries around the world.
Beyond just documenting the orchestra’s rise, the film explores the broader realities of life in Cateura — poverty, environmental degradation, and the challenges facing young people growing up around a landfill — while also capturing moments of real adversity, including setbacks the orchestra faced along the way (including damage to some of the instruments and other obstacles during production).
The documentary was well received on the festival circuit and helped bring global attention to the orchestra, significantly boosting international interest, donations, and touring opportunities for the group after its release. It’s frequently cited in conversations about music education, environmental awareness, and grassroots social projects, and has been used in schools and community organizations as an inspirational teaching tool.
Availability varies by region and streaming platform over time, so I’d suggest checking a service like JustWatch or your local streaming platforms directly if you’re looking to watch it.