Watch Canners

Canners is a 2015 documentary film that delves into the lives of individuals who collect and redeem cans and bottles for money in New York City. The movie follows a group of these "canners," as they are known, as they go about their daily routine and struggle to survive in a harsh and unforgiving city. The film begins with a brief introduction to the practice of canning, explaining how it has become a valuable source of income for many impoverished individuals in New York. It then dives into the lives of several canners, including Susan, a single mother who cans to support her children, and Walter, who has been canning for over 30 years.

As the movie progresses, we see the canners navigating the complex streets of New York, pushing shopping carts and filling them with bags of cans and bottles. They face many challenges, including competition from other canners, discrimination from store owners who refuse to redeem their cans, and the constant threat of arrest from police officers who see them as a nuisance.

Despite these obstacles, the canners show incredible resilience and determination, often working long hours in extreme weather conditions just to make enough money to survive. We see them going through the cans and bottles they've collected, separating them by type and brand, and carefully counting them to make sure they get the most money possible.

In addition to following the canners' daily routines, the movie also sheds light on their personal lives and the struggles they face outside of canning. We learn about the health issues several of them face, as well as their experiences with homelessness and addiction.

One of the most powerful moments in the film comes when Susan reflects on how canning has become a way for her to cope with the trauma of her past. She explains that collecting cans gives her a sense of control, and helps her feel like she's doing something productive and worthwhile.

Throughout the movie, we also hear from experts who comment on the larger societal issues that canning highlights, including income inequality and the failure of the social safety net in America. They argue that canners shouldn't have to rely on such a grueling and often dangerous form of work just to make ends meet.

Overall, Canners is a powerful and eye-opening documentary that provides a rare glimpse into the lives of a group of individuals that are often overlooked in society. It sheds light on the struggles of those who live on the margins of society, and forces viewers to confront the systemic issues that contribute to their plight.