Roberta Aguirre
In the film *The Fifth Element*, there is a scene in which Korban and Leeloo encounter a pile of garbage at the airport as they are leaving for Flostan Paradise. This is explained by the fact that the garbage collectors, an unnamed alien species, are on strike due to poor working conditions. The strikers are described as thin and lanky with long prehensile snouts, resembling Earth's anteaters. The scene also includes a shootout, with the bald Leeloo jumping into the garbage pile.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for garbage at the airport | Garbage collectors are on strike due to poor working conditions |
| Description of garbage collectors | Thin and lanky bipedal aliens with hairless leathery skin and long prehensile snouts |
| Height of garbage collectors | 4 ft |
| Location | Manhattan Intergalactic Airport |
| Reason for strike | Poor working conditions |
| Signs held by garbage collectors | "No Cash. No Trash.", "On Strike", "G Hands on Strike" |
| Police response to strike | Shooting to break up the gathering |
| Film characters | Korben Dallas, Leeloo, Vito Cornelius, David, Ruby Rhod, Zorg, President, Mr. Shadow |
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What You'll Learn
The garbage collectors are on strike
In the film *The Fifth Element*, there is a scene in which a large pile of garbage can be seen at an airport. This is the Manhattan Intergalactic Airport, and the garbage has accumulated due to the garbage collectors being on strike.
The "Garbage Collectors" or "Strikers" are an unnamed alien species that feature in the film's original script, novelisation, and deleted scenes. They are described as thin and lanky bipedal creatures with hairless, leathery skin and long prehensile snouts, resembling anteaters. Their skin and clothes are filthy, indicating poor hygiene and working conditions.
In the deleted scene, these garbage collectors are on strike due to their poor working conditions. They are seen protesting at the airport, holding signs that read "On Strike", "No Cash. No Trash.", and "G Hands on Strike". The police arrive and begin shooting to break up the illegal gathering, forcing the collectors to dive into the trash.
The garbage pile-up at the airport is also used as a plot device to enable the bad guys to fly into a pile of trash and escape. It also serves as a subtle commentary on the state of the world in the film, implying that there is so much garbage in the future that it is now thrown anywhere, including airports.
The scene in question, therefore, provides insight into the world-building of *The Fifth Element*, showcasing not only the existence of alien species performing menial jobs but also the social issues they face, such as poor working conditions and labor strikes.
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Poor working conditions for garbage collectors
In the film *The Fifth Element*, viewers are left wondering why there is a huge pile of garbage at the airport when Korban and Leeloo are leaving for Flostan Paradise. The reason for this is that the garbage collectors, an unnamed species of aliens, are on strike due to poor working conditions. These alien garbage collectors are described as thin and lanky with hairless, leathery skin and long prehensile snouts resembling anteaters. Their unkempt appearance and torn, dirty clothing further emphasize the poor working conditions they endure.
Garbage collectors, or waste collectors, in the real world also face challenging working conditions. The work is physically demanding, requiring upper body strength for lifting heavy garbage bags and objects. They are constantly exposed to biological risks, accidents, and repetitive strain injuries. According to a study in Brazil, 60% of public cleaning employees in Patos reported experiencing pain during working hours, with the lumbar spine being the most affected region. Similarly, recyclable material collectors in Curitiba reported musculoskeletal pain (99.9%), tiredness (95.5%), and headaches (81.8%).
The work is not only physically demanding but also mentally challenging. Waste collectors have to navigate through traffic, make quick decisions, and manage their safety while observing the traffic. They often feel exploited and disrespected by society, experiencing neglect, disrespect, and a lack of recognition for their important work. This leads to mental health issues such as mood swings, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, anxiety, and feelings of humiliation.
To become a garbage collector, one must be in excellent physical condition and have the necessary education in waste management. Most garbage collectors are required to hold a commercial driver's license to operate the garbage trucks. Despite the importance of their work in maintaining the cleanliness of our environments, garbage collectors often have to deal with the stigma attached to their profession. They are subjected to the judgment of society, which undervalues their essential contribution.
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Piles of garbage used as portals
The 1997 film The Fifth Element features a scene in which piles of garbage are used as portals and for hiding. In the scene, Korben Dallas's neighbour is mistakenly arrested by the police, who are looking for Dallas. The Mangalores, who are also after Dallas, see the police arresting the neighbour and believe it to be Dallas. The leader of the Mangalores then disguises himself using the neighbour's face to gain access to the airport and hijacks Dallas.
At the airport, there are piles of garbage, which have accumulated due to the garbage collectors being on strike. The garbage collectors are protesting their poor working conditions and refuse to pick up any garbage until their demands are met. The police arrive and begin shooting to break up the illegal gathering, forcing the collectors to dive into the trash. The Mangalores, who are dangerous, are cornered by the police and a shootout takes place. They escape by diving through the piles of garbage.
The piles of garbage at the airport thus serve as a hiding place for the Mangalores and a means of escape through the portals. The use of garbage as portals is a creative choice by the filmmakers, adding a layer of believability to the world-building of the film.
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Garbage used as plot convenience
In the film The Fifth Element, there is a scene in which there is a large pile of garbage at an airport. This is explained in the film as being the result of a strike by garbage collectors, who are protesting their poor working conditions. The garbage collectors are described in the script and novelisation as an unnamed species of alien, characterised by their thin and lanky bipedal form, hairless leathery skin, and long prehensile snouts.
The garbage pile-up at the airport serves as a plot convenience, allowing the bad guys to fly into a pile of trash and escape. It also adds to the world-building of the film, implying that the city has cut costs by allowing garbage to pile up and then hauling it to a landfill, and that New York is living in a police state, with police able to open fire on anyone they suspect.
The scene in question involves Korben Dallas being impersonated by a Mangalore couple, who are trying to gain access to the airport and hijack the real Korben to meet the singer and get the stones. When the police realise the couple are dangerous Mangalores, a shootout takes place, and the couple dives through the garbage to escape.
The garbage collectors and their strike were intended to feature more prominently in the film, with Nick Dudman's creature crew creating a group of alien garbage collectors that did not make it into the final film. In the original concept, the garbage collectors would have been seen amidst the garbage at the airport, holding sandwich board signs reading "On strike".
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Garbage collectors are an unnamed alien species
The "Garbage Collectors" or "Strikers" are an unnamed alien species featured in the original script, novelisation, and deleted scenes of the film "The Fifth Element". These aliens are thin, lanky, and stand at about 4 feet tall, with hairless, leathery skin and long prehensile snouts resembling anteaters. They are first mentioned by police officers who note the large mounds of garbage forming under the city due to the garbage collectors being out of work.
In the film, a scene at the Manhattan Intergalactic Airport features piles of garbage caused by the garbage collectors going on strike due to poor working conditions. The strikers sat atop the garbage mounds holding protest signs, with the police massing to break up the gathering. Nick Dudman's creature crew created alien garbage collectors for this scene, but they were ultimately cut from the final film.
The presence of garbage in the airport scene serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it builds the world of the film, implying that the future depicted has a garbage problem, with cities opting to let waste pile up due to the cost of disposal. Secondly, the garbage serves as a plot device, providing a convenient hiding place for characters during a shootout, adding an element of action and suspense to the scene.
The garbage collectors' strike also adds a layer of social commentary to the film, implying that the future society depicted has issues with labour rights and worker exploitation. This is further emphasised by the police's response to the strike, immediately resorting to violence to break up the gathering, reflecting a broader theme of police state and oppressive authority within the world of "The Fifth Element".
Overall, the inclusion of the unnamed alien garbage collectors and their strike adds depth to the film's world-building, narrative, and thematic layers, contributing to the overall richness of "The Fifth Element" as a science fiction work.
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Frequently asked questions
The garbage at the airport is present due to the garbage collectors being on strike. The strikers are protesting against poor working conditions.
The garbage collectors are an unnamed species of aliens. They are thin and lanky with hairless, leathery skin and long prehensile snouts.
The garbage collectors are protesting against poor working conditions. Their skin and clothes are described as filthy and torn, suggesting a lack of hygiene and poor working conditions.
During the scene, Vito Cornelius, David, and Leeloo witness the garbage collectors sitting on top of the garbage mounds, holding signs in protest. The police arrive and begin shooting to break up the illegal gathering, forcing the collectors to dive into the trash.
