Environmental Justice Documentary Film ‘American River‘

Hackensack, NJ -- The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF) celebrates its 25th anniversary with a screening of the documentary film 'American River', an inspiring and entertaining movie about the evolution of the troubled Passaic River.

Founded in 1998, the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Hackensack, New Jersey, works primarily in the areas of the environment, arts and culture, public health, education, civic engagement and philanthropy.  The NNJCF is leading efforts to address stormwater flooding and the impacts of climate change along the Hackensack River and in the City of Hackensack.  With the film's screening, the Foundation seeks to inspire ideas for the city's hometown river and to help launch the Hackensack River Nation initiative.

"Any young person who is concerned about their local environment should go see this film. This film is inspiring and can provide them with a lot of ideas for helping make the Hackensack River healthier and a better place to enjoy," said Leonardo Vazquez, Executive Director, Northern New Jersey Community Foundation.

Passaic River Explored

The film explores the Passaic River through community members' stories.  New Jersey native Mary Bruno spent her childhood along this river, one of the most polluted waterways in America.  Decades later, Bruno returned to kayak with her guide Carl Alderson on a four-day, 80 mile adventure down the Passaic River, from its pristine source in a wildlife refuge to its toxic mouth in Newark Bay.  The river’s amazing history, geology and ecology reveal themselves, as they navigate challenges, travel through urban landscapes and head towards the industrial disaster that poisoned the Passaic for the past 60 years.

Along the way, the filmmakers engage residents, historians and advocates in conversations eliciting insight, urgency and a sense of wonder to the story.  How did the Passaic become one of the most contaminated rivers in America?  Can it be saved?  The Passaic is an archetype for thousands of rivers across America facing similar reckonings.

Directed by filmmaker Scott Morris and based on Mary Bruno’s 2012 book, An American River: From Paradise to Superfund, the film explores the Passaic River through community members' stories. Bruno spent her childhood along this river, one of the most polluted waterways in America, and returned to kayak with her guide Carl Alderson on a four-day, 80-mile adventure down the Passaic River, from its pristine source in a wildlife refuge to its toxic mouth in Newark Bay. The river’s amazing history, geology and ecology reveal themselves, as they navigate challenges, travel through urban landscapes and head towards the industrial disaster that poisoned the Passaic for the past 60 years. The Passaic is an archetype for thousands of rivers across America facing similar reckonings.

An Audience Favorite

Since its world premiere in 2021 at the Montclair Film Festival in Montclair, New Jersey, the film has been screened at several festivals, including the 2022 Global Peace Film Festival in Florida, the 2022 Princeton Environmental Film Festival, the Environmental Film Festival at Yale, and the 2022 RiverRun International Film Festival in North Carolina, among others. At the 2021 Teaneck International Film Festival, the movie received the Audience Award for Best of Fest and the Audience Award for Best Documentary.   

“A fantastic voyage through America’s past and present, from its breathtaking, unspoiled beginnings to its growth as a global industrial power – all along a frequently overlooked river," stated Bill Westhoven, reporter with USA Today.

Launch of Hackensack River Nation

Founded in 1998, the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Hackensack, New Jersey, works primarily in the areas of the environment, arts and culture, public health, education, civic engagement and philanthropy. The NNJCF is leading efforts to address stormwater flooding and the impacts of climate change along the Hackensack River and in the City of Hackensack. With the film's screening, the Foundation seeks to inspire ideas for the city's hometown river and to help launch the Hackensack River Nation initiative.

The proceeds from ticket purchases support the NNJCF and its work to address pressing, challenging social and environmental issues in North Jersey. Visions Federal Credit Union and Cullari Carrico are sponsors for the program. To become a sponsor, contact NNJCF's Executive Director, Leonardo Vazquez, at leo@nnjcf.org.

For more information about the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation, visit its website at www.nnjcf.org, send an email to nnjcf@nnjcf.org, or call 201-568-5608. For more information about the film, American River, go to www.americanriver.film.

Talk Back and Reception

After the film presentation, a talk back session will be held with producer Scott Morris and Hackensack Riverkeeper's Captain Bill Sheehan.  The public is invited to attend and discuss how the communities surrounding the Hackensack River can be greener, healthier, and connect residents to their hometown river.  The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation will provide information about its environmental protection programs and how the public can get involved.  A reception follows in the HACPAC's art gallery.

The proceeds from ticket purchases support the NNJCF and its work to address pressing, challenging social and environmental issues in North Jersey.  Visions Federal Credit Union and Cullari Carrico are sponsors for the program.  To become a sponsor, contact NNJCF's Executive Director, Leonardo Vazquez, at leo@nnjcf.org.

Tickets

A special student ticket rate of $5 may be purchased with the promotional code StudentTix. Tickets for the general public are available for $15 each. All tickets may be purchased online at www.hacpac.org/event/American-River. The doors open at 5:45 p.m., and the movie will be screened from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The theatre is handicapped accessible. Designated handicapped parking spaces are available.