Mary Bruno spent her childhood along the Passaic River, one of the most polluted waterways in America. American River depicts her return, decades later, to kayak the river of her youth and tell its story. It follows Ms. Bruno and her kayak guide Carl Alderson on a 4-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 are revealed as the kayakers navigate challenges, travel through urban landscapes and head towards the industrial disaster that has poisoned the Passaic for the past 60 years. Watch the trailer here.

Along the way, the filmmakers engage residents, historians and advocates in candid conversations that bring 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?

Three years in the making, American River was directed by filmmaker Scott Morris (also known for his documentary Saving the Great Swamp) and is based on Mary Bruno’s 2012 book, An American River: From Paradise to Superfund.

Like the book, the film is a unique blend of personal memoir, adventure, history and science. The entire journey was captured in grand and intimate scale from the water, land and air by an experienced crew with ten 4K cameras.

The film screening will run from 6 pm - 7:25 pm, followed by Q&A in person with the filmmaker, Scott Morris. This event takes place in the Conti Room and is in lieu of the usual movie matinee on the afternoon of June 4. Please note closed captions are not available for this film.

No registration is required. Seating is first come, first served. Film screenings are made possible by support from the Friends of the New Providence Memorial Library.