Review of Manufactured Landscapes (2006) by Carreh R — 06 Jun 2013

"Thought provoking and unsettling documentary, which profiles Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky as he travels to China to explore the profound environmental impact of that country's industrial revolution.

" I think I would classify this as "horror" actually, it's very unsettling and makes me wonder why I bother with my little bit of recycling with the state of things in China. Not much of a "profile" on the artist, he's just there taking pictures and doing the odd voice over.

Came across a bit long winded and dry in places, and oddly filmed in black and white in sections which I found distracting. The ship breakers scene in Bangladesh stands out as does the brick by brick (by hand) leveling of entire cities, in order to make way for shipping lanes and the Three Gorges Dam.

That was pretty horrifying due to the scale involved. I have seen other (better) documentaries on these subjects and as I said this really doesn't profile the artist at all. 06.13.