All summer, there's a great environmental film series happening in Austin. This Wednesday features two water-related films: "The River" and "River of Innocence"  

Green Screen: Films From the Environmental Front

Wednesday, June 21st at 7:00 p.m.

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Downtown

FREE ADMISSION

The River (Dir. Pare Lorentz, 1938) is an American documentary classic filmed between 1936 – 1937 in fourteen states to demonstrate the importance of the Tennessee Valley Authority to the management of the mighty Mississippi. Its focus on abusive land-use by logging companies and farmers, catastrophic floods, and poor planning relates to modern disasters like Hurricane Katrina. The film includes footage of the devastating 1937 flood near New Orleans, and its aftermath, tent cities and all. "It is a film for the nation to see and ponder over and never forget," wrote the St. Louis Globe Democrat. The film's form and style set a standard for its time, and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in poetry for its narration. 

River of Innocence (Dir. Ron Coley, 1983) is a stunning revelation of the hidden history and geology of the San Marcos River, a place usually associated with good summertime tubing. Director Ron Coley, a world-class diver, has captured the mystery and marvels of this river with captivating underwater film footage and stories about the animals, plants, geology and archeology of the river. The soundtrack includes music by Shake Russell, Dana Cooper, and Jack Ingram, and the film is narrated by the late stage and screen actor Richard Paul Kiley.  This film will leave you with a newfound appreciation for this central Texas waterway, and its place in a rich network of regional streams, creeks, springs and the Edwards Aquifer. This is a rare opportunity to view a film about our local environment. Director Ron Coley will be in attendance.

Green Screen is presented by the Save Our Springs Alliance, and co-sponsored by Save Barton Creek Association, Eco-wise, Environment Texas, GEAR Rentals, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Austin Chronicle, Austin Film Society, Austin Motel, Miscellaneous Rentals, and Turnkey Rentals.