Justin Schneider
justin.schneider@heraldbulletin.com
It may not be glamorous, but a piece of Madison County is about the become a celluloid star.
On July 26, the environmental documentary “Trashed” will premiere at the Music Box Theatre in Chicago. The film examines waste in America, and one of its main narratives is the war over Mallard Lake Landfill being fought in Madison County.
“‘Trashed’ is basically a documentary about waste, recycling and over-consumption in the U.S.,” said Bill Kirkos of Chicago-based OXI Productions LLC, who produced and directed the film. “Ultimately, you have to look at the end result of the 4 1/2 pounds of trash that every American produces on a daily basis. What we used to call town dumps have changed because the amount of waste has increased, especially in the decades since the 1950s. We find waste crossing the country to find its final resting place.”
Kirkos visited 10 states and parts of Canada collecting footage. He said the proliferation of new landfills and the expansion of existing landfills in states such as Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Michigan illustrates an alarming trend in the waste industry.
“Indiana as highlighted for the same reason as Michigan, their geographic location,” Kirkos said. “There is a huge amount of East Coast garbage, and they’re running out of space, so it’s making that westward push.”
In 1978, JM Corp. announced plans to create a landfill in Madison County. The following year, the company purchased 154 acres at the corner of county roads 300 East and 300 North in rural Richland Township, northeast of Anderson. But the project has been mired in controversy and legal battles for parts of four decades, due in part to its close proximity to Killbuck Elementary School.
In May 2006, Kirkos enlisted the Killbuck Concerned Citizens Association, a group that opposes the landfill, along with Killbuck Elementary students and parents, to re-create an early 1990s protest at the school. That footage, along with interviews with local officials and residents, makes up 10 to 15 percent of “Trashed,” the filmmaker said.
“The Mallard Lake dump issue is heavily featured ... largely because of the fierce, 28-year battle waged by citizens groups against the proposed dump and the significant danger it represents to the community,” said KCCA President Bill Kutschera. “I’m going to go to the premiere. We’ve been waiting on this for so long.”
Kutschera is trying to arrange a “Trashed” showing in Madison County, whether by a projector or DVD. He said the impression the Mallard Lake fight left on Kirkos is proof of the importance of the issue.
“After talking to Bill (Kirkos), I almost had to take it with a grain of salt,” Kutschera said. “His experience here, despite the number of months he spent on the project, left his jaw dragging after what he saw.”
Kirkos said “Trashed,” which was produced over two years, was completely self-financed. He shot it on mini digital video cameras with the help of a small crew and a small production staff.
“No investors contributed to this — it was all self-funded on a modest budget,” Kirkos said. “I just had a strong desire to shed a little light on environmental issues and educate people, including young people.”
Kirkos said he is looking at distribution options for showing the film after the Chicago premiere.
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Get ‘Trashed’
- What: Premiere of ‘Trashed,’ a 77-minute documentary on landfills by filmmaker Bill Kirkos, featuring footage of the proposed Mallard Lake Landfill
- Where: Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., Chicago
- When: 7:30 p.m. July 26
More information: www.trashedmovie.com
