Matter Out of Place

Matter Out of Place is a documentary that examines the global distribution of human waste. The film explores how garbage has reached the most isolated environments on Earth, including the Arctic, deep deserts, jungles, and high mountains. It documents various forms of pollution, ranging from large objects like vehicle wrecks and old electronics to microscopic plastic fragments. Alongside this survey of environmental damage, the film follows the individuals who attempt the difficult task of removing these materials from the landscape.

Directed by Nikolaus Geyrhalter, this was the first of three listed films in the director's career, followed by The Standstill and Melt. The production was handled by Nikolaus Geyrhalter Filmproduktion and involved producers Markus Glaser, Nikolaus Geyrhalter, and Michael Kitzberger. A co-production between Germany and Austria, the film has a runtime of 105 minutes. Since its release in October 2022, it has earned a rating of 6.9/10 on IMDb based on 183 votes.