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Bullfrog Films
P.O. Box 149
Oley, PA 19547
Tel: 610/779-8226
Fax: 610/370-1978
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Swim for the River
The story of the Hudson, and the battle to save it, are told as Chris Swain swims the entire length of the river.
56 minutes
DVD version with special features available - see below
Color / Stereo
Grade Level: 6 - 12, College, Adult
US Release Date: 2006
Copyright Date: 2006
ISBN (VHS): 1-59458-533-4
ISBN (DVD): 1-59458-534-2
Directed by Tom Weidlinger
Original Music Composed by Ed Bogas
A Moira Productions Film in association with Dateline Productions
Funded by the Lillian Lincoln Foundation
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"Should be on the shelves of classrooms and libraries throughout the country." AAAS Science Books & Films
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Christopher Swain braved whitewater, sewage, snapping turtles, hydroelectric dams, homeland security patrols, factory outfalls, and PCB contamination to become the first person to swim the entire length of the Hudson River from the Adirondack Mountains to New York City.
Swain's experience links together stories of the river, which begins in wilderness and ends in one of the nation's densest population centers. We meet heroes who are fighting to protect the Hudson against a range of threats from industry, inept regulatory agencies, and public indifference. We also see how ordinary citizens can and do make a difference through choices they make effecting the environment, and by joining together around a common cause.
DVD version: DVD includes 58-page Teacher's Guide, web links, 9 short films on related Hudson River topics, and a Resource Guide.
Study guide available
Awards:
ALA Booklist's 10 Best Environmental Videos of 2006-7
Honorable Mention, Columbus International Film & Video Festival
Mill Valley Film Festival
Hazel Wolf Environmental Film Festival
Chaos Enviro Film Selection, Boulder Adventure Film Festival
Reviews:
"Very well done and inspirational video...should be on the shelves of classrooms and libraries throughout the country...I recommend this DVD to all and especially those who are interested in water quality and environmental issues."
-AAAS Science Books & Films
"A must-watch for anyone concerned not only about the quality of our water but overall environmental health. It inspires people to take action steps - large and small - knowing that even the smallest steps to reduce our footprint make a big difference."
-Wanda Urbanska & Frank Levering, authors of Simple Living.
"The film offers a fresh - but stark - look at the health of the Hudson River. The love and compassion the swimmer and photographer have for the river and those who live along its banks is evident. It is a film of honest caring and a desire for positive change. It is all about the river ... and hope ... and will play an important role in moving communities along the Hudson into action to protect and preserve this wonderful resource."
-John E. Wear, PhD, Founding Director, Catawba College Center for the Environment
"For anyone who cares about our natural treasures, who gets angry when they're used as toxic waste dumps, and who wants to celebrate the surprising progress activists have made in rescuing a great American waterway from its abusers, Swim for the River is a gem. Its narrative line is refreshingly original, and the end will bring a lump to your throat. Don't mss it."
-Adam Hochschild, author of King Leopold's Ghost and Bury the Chains
"Weidlinger's riveting film recounts Swain's swim...and the stories of the communities that have mobilized to reclaim the river from its polluters."
-Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
"[A] powerful program which should inspire viewers to jump on the environmental bandwagon."
-Booklist
"While I was expecting to be informed of the environmental problems...I was not expecting to be captivated on so many levels. The film was beautifully done. From the breathtaking scenery to the music, it all came together in a very aesthetic way."
-Donna Ross, Public Programs, New York State Museum
"During the film I laughed, I cried, I burned with rage, and I thought deeply. In the end I pledged to do more than I have done - to help the river become what it once was - a majestic clean ecosystem- by minimizing my family's impact on the river and using the river as a classroom."
-Professor Michelle A. Rodden, Environmental Studies, SUNY at Ulster Community College
"A tremendously helpful teaching tool, inspiring support for conservation. I have strongly recommended the film to my students."
-Dr. James A. Danoff-Burg, Center for Environmental Research and Conservation, Columbia University
"Swain meets with a variety of people working to save the Hudson, including concerned citizens, environmental educators, students, and songwriter/musician Pete Seeger. The filmmaker effectively uses the travels of one man to connect the various stories of ordinary, everyday heroes with whom he meets...The specialized nature of this film makes it most valuable for schools within the Hudson River watershed. It could also be used effectively to demonstrate how the actions of ordinary citizens can, and do, make a difference."
-School Library Journal
"Very powerful and effective for viewers of all ages. Children will take away different information than adults, but all will be left with a mandate to save the river."
-Margaret Moulton, Manager of Public Programs, The Hudson River Museum
"Gasps of surprise and occasional laughter could be heard throughout the film showing. We found the film to be both educational and entertaining."
-Lorraine Machlin & Jane Berkowicz, Co-chairs, Rockland Friends of Clearwater
"Inspiring...makes us remember that although we have come so far in remediating past environmental damages, and taking measures and enacting legislations to protect the river from pollution, serious problems do still exist."
-Connie Mayer-Bakall, Constitution Marsh Audubon Center & Sanctuary
"Thought-provoking, disturbing, moving, and encouraging all at the same time."
-Julie Truax, Natural Resources Defense Council, New York
"Swim for the River is a hopeful film that avoids preaching to the choir and appeals to a wide audience."
-Poughkeepsie Journal
"Swim for the River does more than recount Swain's filthy journey...It also tells the story of a long-polluted waterway and advocate's efforts to clean it."
-Times Herald-Record
"This film gives people not only a "fish eye" view of the Hudson, but a sense of hope for protecting other rivers and watersheds throughout the country. Weidlinger has captured the concerns of many concerned citizens. "Swim" is a motivating, community call for action."
-E. Ashley Boling, Executive Director, Telluride Institute, Colorado
"Highly Recommended for its presentation and enlightenment of a topic that seems often mentioned, but little discussed...The commentary will be significant to any community or region with a concern for the pollution of its rivers."
-Jeremy Linden, State University of New York College at Fredonia, Educational Media Reviews Online
"Recommended for public library collections on environmental media."
-Library Journal
Related Subjects:
American Studies
Anthropology
Business Practices
Earth Science
Ecology
Environment
Environmental Ethics
Geography
Habitat
Health
History
Law
Marine Biology
Nuclear Energy
Pollution
Rivers
Science
Technology and Society
Sociology
Toxic Waste
Water
Related Links:
Swim for the River web site
Related Titles:
The Return of the Cuyahoga: The story of the death and rebirth of one of America's most emblematic waterways.
Crapshoot: Looks at the failure of our current sewage disposal system and presents alternatives.
Poison in the Rockies: Threats to water quality in the Colorado Rockies.
Pointless Pollution: We all contribute to nonpoint source pollution of our water!
The Matrix of Life: Suzuki travels the world exploring our intimate relationship with water and air.
The Green Zone: The riparian zone: as important to the river as the water itself.
Journey of the Blob: An illustration of the water cycle in a cautionary tale about pollution.
Playing with Poison: American anthropologist investigates the side-effects on children of pesticide use.
Hormone Imposters: Endocrine disrupting chemicals damage reproductive organs and cause learning disabilities.
The Wasting of a Wetland: The destruction of the Florida Everglades.
Up Close and Toxic: Examines the alarming levels of pollutants inside our homes and suggests ways to reduce them.
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