Carts of Darkness

Carts of Darkness is a groundbreaking 2008 Canadian documentary directed by former extreme sport filmmaker Murray Siple, who himself was a professional snowboarder before a severe car accident in 1996 left him a quadriplegic. This documentary is partially biographical, providing the audience with profound insights into Siple's physical and emotional journey. It whimsically blurs the lines between extreme sport and survival, providing a unique view into the lives of a society's overlooked members.

The film plunges not only into Siple's story but primarily into the lives of a group of homeless men in North Vancouver who have turned collecting bottles in shopping carts into an extreme sport. These men, living on the social and economic margins, have found not only a means for survival but also a thrill of pleasure by racing the steep hilly streets of North Vancouver.

Carts of Darkness explores the unique perspectives of these unconventional urban athletes. They chose to live on the streets, seeking freedom from the trappings of conventional materialistic society. Their shopping carts represent not only their means for survival and livelihood but also their vehicles for thrill-seeking and demonstrative of their resilience and resourcefulness. These are not tales of desolation or desperation, but instead, the film brings forth stories of resilience, camaraderie, and of finding joy in the most unexpected places.

Each character's life story is uniquely gripping, and Siple presents them with empathy and understanding, challenging often-held stigmatic views about homelessness and poverty. The daring 'bottle pickers' fearlessly charge down the steep hilly landscape of North Vancouver, gleefully racing against each other. This depiction places viewers on the racing edge, capturing the raw speed and elation of these cart races, while subtly evoking thought and respect for the ingenuity and spirit of these men.

Against the larger backdrop of societal judgments and expectations, the resulting narrative is an inspirational and poignant – even if unconventional – study of human resilience. As the film delves deeper into the lives of the cart racers – Big Al, Fergie, and others – Siple captures them living lives full of challenges and triumphs that are profoundly human, exposing the intricate ways they live, struggle, and take pleasure from the "discomforts" of life on the streets.

Siple’s approach in his directing of Carts of Darkness reflects his own personal struggles, allowing the personal to merge with the universal truths these men encounter every day. It raises questions about wealth and poverty, success and failure, emphasizing the importance of autonomy and the human spirit. His background in extreme sports filming lends the movie a visceral, energetic feel, brilliantly capturing the rush of a shopping cart race down steep urban roads. The elements of the film combining these thrills with thought-provoking takes on societal norms ensure a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience.

Carts of Darkness provides commentary on societal views on disability and homelessness without taking recourse to preachy moral lessons. The film is about more than homelessness and bottle collecting - it is a statement about freedom, finding one's place in the world, and the power of human spirit under extreme conditions. There is an underlying message about the arbitrariness of what society values, and what it rejects, that adds a layer of subtext to the movie.

The strength of the film lies in its ability to capture the characters' individual stories, the exhilaration of the races, and the mundane realities of life on the street in artistic visual and sound design. Its original score by Schaun Tozer perfectly complements the themes of freedom and resilience that the film underscores.

In the end, Carts of Darkness is a movie that confronts stereotypes, shatters misconceptions, and captures a unique subculture with authenticity and respect. It is an inspiring journey packed with thrilling races, realities of street life, and a different perspective on freedom and success. This is an honest, full-hearted film that carries an atypical yet undeniably potent message of survival and joy under circumstances people would often regard as a tragedy. The real triumph of the movie is how it celebrates its subjects’ determination to not just survive but thrive in their own way, all while daring to question societal norms and conventions. Murray Siple has crafted a cinematic piece that offers an eye-opening look at an unfamiliar facet of urban life.