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Carts of Darkness

  • 2008
  • Not Rated
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
846
YOUR RATING
Carts of Darkness (2008)
Documentary

This documentary follows a group of homeless men who have combined bottle picking with the extreme sport of racing shopping carts.This documentary follows a group of homeless men who have combined bottle picking with the extreme sport of racing shopping carts.This documentary follows a group of homeless men who have combined bottle picking with the extreme sport of racing shopping carts.

  • Director
    • Murray Siple
  • Writer
    • Murray Siple
  • Star
    • Murray Siple
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.6/10
    846
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Murray Siple
    • Writer
      • Murray Siple
    • Star
      • Murray Siple
    • 5User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos1

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    Top cast1

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    Murray Siple
    • Self…
    • Director
      • Murray Siple
    • Writer
      • Murray Siple
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews5

    7.6846
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    Featured reviews

    10blakemaczka

    Incredible, surprising, touching film

    Seems like a silly idea, racing a shopping cart down a mountain road without any safety equipment. Turns out, it's an entire subculture with depth, joy, and tragedy. These are not just passers by floating on randomly, they are men trying to make sense of the world and enjoy life. Highly recommend this film!
    8cdale-41392

    Bizarre / Sad / Funny / Dangerous / Fascinating

    This hour-long documentary introduces us to several homeless men in North Vancouver who collect bottles for recycling, and who like to race shopping carts.

    Yes, it sounds bizarre because it -is- bizarre to see a grown man riding the back of a shopping cart down a steep hill at 50 mph. It's bizarre, sad, funny, dangerous, and fascinating.

    The "star" is a big bearded ginger bear who goes by Big Al. He's probably in his late (?) 30s, and lives in the woods in a tent. He collects recyclable bottles from homeowners' blue recycle bins, takes them to the recycle center, then sorts and turns them in for cash. After he has a little money in his pocket he'll steal a shopping cart and ride it down a steep hill for an adrenaline rush.

    Early in the film Big Al turns himself in to spend 10 months in jail for an unspecified crime, Once he's out he's ready to make up for lost time.

    We're also introduced to Fergie. He's a 49 year old homeless alcoholic who lives in the woods. He's got a couple of kids he never sees and has apparently lived a very hard life.

    The guys are all very likable, I just wish I had a better sense of how they got to be in their current situations.
    10paulalliban

    A wild, wild life.

    Their lifestyle choices aren't always the best, but the doc does it's best at humanising them and their whacky way of life.

    From start to finish it's just great times.
    9jjrussell_gallery

    Brave filmmaking - A double trust exercise

    ( 9/10: Minor flaws that are easily overlooked - Must see )

    Murray Siple, a disable filmmaker & lover of extreme sports, puts his safety in the hands of local "binners"; men who collect & cash in bottles. Siple is embraced by them and even partakes in their favourite sport: extreme shopping cart racing.

    Binners bravely display their lifestyles to a filmmaker, trusting him with their dignity. Their world is shown to us with compassion, respect and even admiration. Men who live on the edge of society, commonly invisible to Vancouverites, are shown for what they are: multifaceted human beings, worthy of our recognition & more.

    Leave you preconceptions at the start line. Carts of Darkness will restore your faith in humanity.
    10activelife-59538

    this is worth an hour of your time

    Its fantastic movie. you should watch this.it goe in depth on homless people and is based in canada

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    Related interests

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    Documentary

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Crazy credits
      A special thank you to BIG AL, FERGIE, BOB, GEORDIE, LITTLE AL, MAX & BUCKLES
    • Connections
      References The Simpsons (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      Nostromo
      Performed and Composed by Little Sparta

      Reproduced with permission from Little Sparta

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 11, 2015 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Canada
    • Official site
      • National Film Board of Canada (Canada)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Les Chariots de l'Enfer
    • Filming locations
      • Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    • Production company
      • National Film Board of Canada (NFB)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • CA$200,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h(60 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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