Carts of Darkness

“Originally it was supposed to be a comedy YouTube thing of these guys who rode shopping carts in North Vancouver, and it turned into a feature-length documentary that the National Film Board has picked up,” Murray Siple explained when I interviewed him about Carts of Darkness for a spread in SBC Skateboard's Fall 2007 issue (9.4).

I randomly ended up watching the final showing of Murray’s documentary-esque film with Bob K at the Vancouver International Film Centre last night. For those unfamiliar with the project, it showcases the struggles and hill-bombing triumphs of a handful of homeless blokes from North Vancouver. They collect cans and bottles in carts, and bomb them down to the recycling depot. Murray befriends them, and gives us all a glimpse into their lives and perspectives. A worthwhile watch.

“When some people hear about it they say, ‘You mean like Jackass?’ No, these guys are actually really good at it, which some people find hard to believe. Scott Pommier got in a shopping cart with a guy pushing him, and there wasn’t a worry in the world about it," says Murray. "The guy was so good at it and in control."