Carts of Darkness
In the picture-postcard community of North Vancouver, filmmaker Murray Siple follows men who have turned bottle-picking, their primary source of income, into the extreme sport of shopping cart racing.
Enduring hardships from everyday life on the streets of Vancouver, this sub-culture depicts street life as much more than stereotypes portrayed in mainstream media.
The films takes a deep look into the lives of the men who race carts, the adversity they face, and the appeal of cart racing despite the risk. (Excerpt from nfb.ca)
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I watched Carts of Darkness sometime ago on the CBC. It was so enjoyable. A story of a group of marginalized homeless men who enjoy the life they have in a no cost, non-refundable “sport”. The cart racing they love, and take seriously, is so honest and innocent, and obviously an integral part of why they get up each day, get their chores done, and make time for their brand of fun. I had fun watching them. Many thanks to the doc. maker, who also seemed to enjoy making this great documentary.
I’d like to see more docs. of how the homeless in and around Vancouver spend their time.
Rich people entertainment on the bums. The future reality TV shows : )
I’ve knew some homeless people. All of them were there by choices they’ve made. It’s not like there was no way out for a better life (especialy in America). They tuely believe that they are free people, living like nomads.
But they are more scavangers who are extreamly dependant on the “rich” people. How would they survive without the corporations who made those stands for recycling? How would they survive if there was no one to make alcohol beverages for them? They’re full of unconsious hypocrysm.
To pity them is a blind moronic act.
Nothing can cure the lack of will.
Murray Siple. You are one talented MOFO! Let’s catch up soon.. i live on cap road now.. maybe we could race there?
Really enjoyed this film. I think it was done in a respectful and non-pitying way. I ended up not feeling sorry for the binners, but realized that they have chosen that life and only they can get them out of it (which they don’t want to do anyway!).
Can’t wait for more films by Murray Siple.
What a gorgeous documentary. I loved it. I really liked the guy who played guitar and was happy for him at the end. He made me laugh a lot. “we got our first utensil” *hoding up a spoon* “yep, got a utensil… s’not cleen though” x) and when he was talking about bacon and eggs. He was cool :D
Hey Vlatko, is that documentary about the homeless guy who ‘found’ $100,000 on here? i have wanted to see that for ages. Oh and this website is, by far, my favourite EVER :D
I don’t really know if that is the guy, JJ. Anyway, I’m glad you like TDF.
okay, yeah I was just wondering if it was on here. I think it’s called ‘reversal of fortune’ (not the 90s movie, the 2005 doco) I don’t think it’s the same guy that made it, I just thought of it and was curious. : ) have a good day
Hmmm, that picture that is coming up was from a gig my housemates did years ago. Is there any way to remove it? I don’t see how it is relevant. Especially because we have all commented on some of these documentaries, only changing our names and leaving only one of our emails.
Haha. It was some blog we made but never got used. OFF TOPIC HERE. talk to me at home later.
Great stuff. Makes you wonder how anyone can take things forgranted.
This was DOPE! Soooo inspiring!
I have beeen thinking about going underground. This really kicks a spark.
I absolutely loved it! It was honest, exciting and moving. Thank you for posting this work of art.
Hey Murray !
Your documentary was outstanding, profound and really evoked strong emotions, up, down, and all around. And I am a fellow artist and have always followed the rule that good art is not what it looks like mores so how it makes you feel. Your film is so close to you it sincerely portraits your suffering through their suffering like the demons they experience are in juxtaposition with yours, different labels but their still demons. I am an artist and bi-polar and have self-medicated most of my life, did a 5yr stretch in prison, went back a couple times and the circle Fergie talks about how vicious the cycle is like our planet orbits the sun that circle that can’t be broken without one destroying the other. I have done extensive six month inpatient therapy, AA, NA self help groups I have all the ubiquitous tools my belt will carry and still I crawl away, learn to walk, start running and wham fall flat on my face and repeat steps 1,2,3 (perpetual)?
So I can identify with your subjects, whole heartedly, and the funny thing is most of them don’t make excuses they man right up to their sh*t.
Not like most the snooty “God fearing” person that looks down their nose at you and them, waving a bible in your face trying to explain how God will save the world! I Thought Jesus died for our sins already so what’s everyone so worried about. But I understand how you mentioned this category of lifestyle type person makes you feel welcome and at ease, you never feel like your on display for someone to condemn. I really look forward to more of your work. And I bet there are thousands more that feel the same way. I found your Doc on an amazing free site called topdocumentaryfilms.com they have thousands!
Take care Murray